halyard

ship part

Also known as: haulyard

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

A halyard is a rope or tackle used on a ship to hoist and lower objects, most commonly sails. The term "halyard" has been in use since the 14th century and likely originates from the Anglo-French word "halier," meaning to haul. A specific type, the "signal halyard," is made of woven cotton to prevent kinking and is used for signal yards.12

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rigging
…into the lifts, jeers, and halyards (haulyards), by which the sails are raised and lowered, and the tacks and sheets, which hold down the lower corners of the sails. The history of the development of rigging over the centuries is obscure, but the combination of square and fore-and-aft sails in…
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…into the lifts, jeers, and halyards (haulyards), by which the sails are raised and lowered, and the tacks and sheets, which hold down the lower corners of the sails. The history of the development of rigging over the centuries is obscure, but the combination of square and fore-and-aft sails in…
Read More