before the mast
The term "before the mast" originates from sailing ships, referring to the area where common sailors lived and worked, as opposed to officers.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Maritime
(historical, nautical)Living in the front part of a ship, typically where the crew's quarters are located.
Example
- During the long voyage, he lived before the mast, sharing quarters with the other sailors.
C1Maritime
(historical, nautical)Serving as an ordinary sailor rather than an officer.
Example
- He spent many years before the mast, gaining a deep understanding of life at sea.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "before the mast":
under sailfore and aftcabin boylash oneself to the mastmake sailat seasailing vesseljury mast