yardarm

noun

yard·​arm ˈyärd-ˌärm How to pronounce yardarm (audio)
: either end of the yard of a square-rigged ship

Examples of yardarm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some of the crew attempted to escape via one of the ship’s boats, but a wave immediately smashed the small vessel against the yardarm, and all aboard drowned. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Mar. 2022 When Billy is strung up on a yardarm, the sailors murmur their discontent; a display of martial discipline staves off any threat of mutiny. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2020 On July 12, New London will add an item to its downtown public art collection: a sculpture by Renee Rhodes featuring a 25-foot gaff-rigged yardarm flagpole and a life-size bronze of Athena, protector of cities. Susan Dunne, courant.com, 7 July 2018 Yardarm: Mrs. Fun, 7-10 p.m. June 28, 920 Erie St., Racine. Elaine Rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 June 2017 St. Elmo’s Fire played on a ship’s yardarms and rigging 25 miles away, ash fell on its deck and explosions deafened its crew. Randy Alfred, WIRED, 26 Aug. 2008

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yardarm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yardarm was in 1553

Dictionary Entries Near yardarm

Cite this Entry

“Yardarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yardarm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

yardarm

noun
yard·​arm ˈyärd-ˌärm How to pronounce yardarm (audio)
: either end of the yard of a square-rigged ship

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