noun

bowsprit

BOH-sprit

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Bowsprit (noun) means a spar that sticks out beyond the front of a sailing ship to help carry extra sail. Example: “The crew ran a line from the bowsprit to steady the foresail.”

noun

nautical A spar that sticks out beyond the front of a sailing ship to help carry extra sail.

"The crew ran a line from the bowsprit to steady the foresail."

"Waves broke clean over the bowsprit as the yacht dug into the swell."

"A figurehead was once carved beneath the bowsprit of old sailing ships."

How to use bowsprit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIt's the pole sticking out the front of a sailing ship that carries extra sail.

When to use it

It's a specialist nautical term, mostly used by sailors and in descriptions of ships.

Memory tip

Picture it as the ship's pointed nose, running out ahead of the hull rather than up from the deck.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a long bowsprit rigged from the bowsprit the ship's bowsprit the tip of the bowsprit

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “bowsprit” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The crew ran a line from the _____ to steady the foresail.

Etymology

Bowsprit was first used in English in the late thirteenth century. It probably came from Middle Low German bochspret, formed from boch, meaning the bow of a ship, and spret, meaning a pole, a word related to English sprout.

Origin: Middle Low German

Frequently asked questions

What is a bowsprit on a ship?

It is the spar that projects forward from the bow of a sailing vessel, giving extra room to rig sail.

Why do sailing ships have a bowsprit?

It lets the crew add more sail surface at the front of the vessel, which improves speed and balance under sail.

Where does the word bowsprit come from?

It probably comes from a Middle Low German word combining bow, for the front of a ship, and a word for a pole.

What is the meaning of bowsprit?

"bowsprit" (noun) means a spar that sticks out beyond the front of a sailing ship to help carry extra sail.