noun
- ropes or cables that support a ship’s mast from behind
Usage: nautical; plural form
Examples
- The crew tightened the backstays to secure the mast.
- Strong winds put extra strain on the backstays.
- The sailor checked all the backstays before setting sail.
- Ice had formed on the backstays during the storm.
- The backstays snapped under the pressure of the gale.
- New backstays were installed during the ship’s maintenance.