The difference between Mast and Topmast

When used as nouns, mast means a tall, slim post or tower, usually tapering upward, used to support, for example, the sails on a ship, flags, floodlights, or communications equipment such as an aerial, usually supported by guy-wires, whereas topmast means the highest mast in a fore-and-aft-rigged ship.


Mast is also verb with the meaning: to supply and fit a mast to a ship.

check bellow for the other definitions of Mast and Topmast

  1. Mast as a noun:

    A tall, slim post or tower, usually tapering upward, used to support, for example, the sails on a ship, flags, floodlights, or communications equipment such as an aerial, usually supported by guy-wires.

  2. Mast as a noun (naval):

    A non-judicial punishment ("NJP") disciplinary hearing under which a commanding officer studies and disposes of cases involving those under his command.

  1. Mast as a verb:

    To supply and fit a mast to a ship

  1. Mast as a noun:

    The fruit of forest-trees (beech, oak, chestnut, pecan, etc.), especially if having fallen from the tree, used as fodder for pigs and other animals.

  1. Mast as a verb (of swine and other animals):

    To feed on forest seed or fruit.

  2. Mast as a verb (agriculture, forestry, ecology, of a population of plants):

    To vary fruit and seed production in multi-year cycles.

  1. Topmast as a noun (nautical):

    The highest mast in a fore-and-aft-rigged ship.

  2. Topmast as a noun (nautical):

    The mast below the topgallant mast in a square-rigged ship.