spar
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈspɑɹ// UK //spˈɑː// spar
n. a strong, thick pole made of wood or metal. It is used on a ship to hold up the sails and ropes.
n. a general term for any strong pole used in a ship's rigging to support sails, such as a mast, yard, or boom.
The sailors checked every wooden spar for cracks before the storm.
During the heavy gale, the main spar snapped under the pressure of the wind against the canvas.
The restoration of the historic vessel required sourcing high-quality timber to replace the rotting spars that had supported the rigging for decades.
Usage
Often used as a collective term in nautical contexts for masts, booms, and yards.