Word
spar
US/ˈspɑɹ/
UK/spˈɑː/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“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.”
Examples
simple
“The sailors checked every wooden spar for cracks before the storm.”
contextual
“During the heavy gale, the main spar snapped under the pressure of the wind against the canvas.”
complex
“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.
Real-World Examples
“Lawyers representing the White House and the three media outlets banned from the property sparred over the constitutional rights of journalists at a hearing in federal court Wednesday.” “The US and Canada have long sparred over trade, particularly Canada’s protected dairy market and the US government’s allegations that it subsidizes producers of softwood lumber.” Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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