noun
Common
yards
yahdz
Yards (noun) means the horizontal spars on a mast that hold up a square sail, and by extension the sail rigging as a whole. Example: “The sailors climbed aloft to loosen the sails hanging from the yards.”
noun
1
The horizontal spars on a mast that hold up a square sail, and by extension the sail rigging as a whole.
"The sailors climbed aloft to loosen the sails hanging from the yards."
"Old wooden ships carried several yards on each mast."
"The crew scrambled up the rigging to reef the yards before the storm hit."
How to use yards
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe wooden crossbeams on a sailing ship's masts that the sails hang from.
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The sailors climbed aloft to loosen the sails hanging from the _____.
Synonyms
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spars
yardarms
Frequently asked questions
What does “yards” mean?
The word “yards” means the horizontal spars on a mast that hold up a square sail, and by extension the sail rigging as a whole. In plain terms, the wooden crossbeams on a sailing ship's masts that the sails hang from.
How do you pronounce “yards”?
“Yards” is pronounced yahdz (/jɑɹdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “yards” in a sentence?
Here is “yards” used in a sentence: “The crew scrambled up the rigging to reef the yards before the storm hit.”
What part of speech is “yards”?
“Yards” is a noun.
Is “yards” a common word?
“Yards” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is a yard on a sailing ship?
A yard is a long horizontal spar fixed across a mast to support and spread a square sail. The sail hangs from the yard, which can be raised, lowered, or angled to catch the wind. Ships with square sails carry several yards, one for each sail on a mast.
What is the difference between a yard and a mast?
A mast is the tall vertical pole rising from a ship's deck, while a yard is the horizontal spar attached across it. The mast provides the main upright support; the yards cross it to hold the sails out. Together they form the framework that carries a square-rigged ship's canvas.
What is a yardarm?
A yardarm is either outer end of a yard — the tip of the horizontal spar that extends beyond the sail. Sailors historically climbed out along the yardarms to handle the canvas. The term also survives in nautical sayings, such as the sun being 'over the yardarm,' meaning it is late enough for a drink.
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