noun🔗ShareA part of the rigging of a sailing ship extending from masthead the top of the mast to the back of the ship; they support the strain on all upper masts and provide additional support to the shrouds when the wind is abaft the beam."The sailor carefully adjusted the backstay to keep the mast from bending too much in the strong wind. "nauticalsailingtechnicalpartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
