mainyard

noun

1. The yard of the mainmast, from which the mainsail is hung

   “The sails were split, the mainyard shivered, the wind blowing fresh, the night setting in; and all our chance was to make for Corfu--or, as F. pathetically called it, 'a watery grave.'”

   “A long line of red and white flags extends from the top of the mainyard to the helm and streamers flutter from the mastheads.”