masthead

plural mastheads

1. nauticalThe top of a mast.

   In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

   1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “chapter 35”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC

   1 more example

   No, when I go to sea, I go as a simple sailor, right before the mast, plumb down into the forecastle, aloft there to the royal mast-head. True, they rather order me about some, and make me jump from spar to spar, like a grasshopper in a May meadow.

   1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “chapter 1”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC

2. USThe list of a newspaper's or another periodical's main staff, contributing writers, publisher, circulation, advertising rates etc.

   Synonyms: imprint

3. AustraliaNew ZealandUKThe title (normally in a large and distinctive font, and at the top of the front page) of a newspaper or another periodical.

   Maree said she felt worse after articles were written about the video, including by this masthead.

   2022 July 14, Stephen Johnson, “Aussie woman given flowers in viral stunt blasts TikTok star”, in Mail Online

   Synonyms: nameplate

   1. AustraliaNew ZealandUKbroadlyThe publication itself, or the rights to publish it.

      Synonyms: nameplate

4. broadlybroadcastingThe logo of a broadcaster used in an ident.

present singular third person mastheads · participle present mastheading · participle past mastheaded · past mastheaded

1. transitivenauticalTo send to the masthead as a punishment.

   “I was mast-headed, sir.” “Mast-headed! how - for what?”

   1838, Frederick Marryat, Rattlin the Reefer

   1 more example

   When the ship happened to be in a warm climate, mastheading constituted a fairly mild punishment; indeed, many regarded it as rather a relief from duty. But in inclement weather the experience was most unpleasant.

   2009, Gregory Fremont-Barnes, Nelson's Officers and Midshipmen, page 30

2. transitiveTo furnish (a newspaper) with a masthead.

   It was mastheaded as "Palatka's Only Independent Home-Owned Newspaper."

   1991, John Costello, Ten Days to Destiny, page 542