# spar

/ˈspɑɹ/ (US) · /spˈɑː/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spar
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a strong, thick pole made of wood or metal. It is used on a ship to hold up the sails and ropes.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a collective term in nautical contexts for masts, booms, and yards.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.