masthead definition

English

Etymology

mast +‎ head

Noun

masthead (plural mastheads)

1. (nautical) The top of a mast.
   • 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 57395299:

     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.

2. (US) A list of a newspaper or other periodical's main staff, contributing writers, publisher, circulation, advertising rates etc.

   Synonym: (UK) imprint

3. (UK, Australia) The title (normally in a large and distinctive font) of a newspaper or other periodical at the top of the front page; (by extension) the publication itself or the rights to it.

   Synonym: (US) nameplate

   • 2022 July 14, Stephen Johnson, “Aussie woman given flowers in viral stunt blasts TikTok star”, in Mail Online‎^[1]:

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

4. (television, by extension) The logo of a broadcaster used in an ident.

See also

• letterhead

Translations

Verb

masthead (third-person singular simple present mastheads, present participle mastheading, simple past and past participle mastheaded)

1. (transitive, nautical) To send to the masthead as a punishment.
   • 1838, Frederick Marryat, Rattlin the Reefer:

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

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

     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.

2. (transitive) To furnish (a newspaper) with a masthead.
   • 1991, John Costello, Ten Days to Destiny (page 542)

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

Further reading

• masthead on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Steadham