halyard

or hal·liard

[ hal-yerd ]

noun

1. any of various lines or tackles for hoisting a spar, sail, flag, etc., into position for use.

halyard

/ ˈhæljəd /

noun

1. nautical a line for hoisting or lowering a sail, flag, or spar

Word History and Origins

Origin of halyard¹

1325–75; Middle English halier rope to haul with ( hale ², -ier ¹ ) with final syllable altered by association with yard ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of halyard¹

C14: halier, influenced by yard ¹; see hale ²

Example Sentences

Bendersky cited how, in Los Angeles County, the fire department introduced a halyard to make putting up longer ladders and less physically strenuous.

From Seattle Times

They brought wet sleeping bags and clothes up on deck and hung them from the masts, halyards, and rigging.

From Literature

The only sound was the splashing of waves against the Zenith’s hull and the halyards making music against the mast in the breeze.

From Washington Post

“You wouldn’t throw much weight on a halyard—that's one thing sure. But you’d do all right as ship’s clerk. You might work up to supercargo.”

From Literature

Flag Code states: “When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak.”

From Seattle Times