noun General Slang

captain's mast

KAP-tinz MAST · noun · informal

Non-judicial punishment before the commanding officer.

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Definitions

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A non-judicial disciplinary proceeding in the Navy in which the commanding officer hears a case and imposes punishment short of a court-martial.

“He caught captain's mast for missing ship's movement.”
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captain's mast In A Sentence

He caught captain's mast for missing ship's movement.

Origin & Usage

US Navy; from the historic practice of holding proceedings at the ship's mast.

People Also Ask

What is captain's mast?

It's a non-judicial disciplinary proceeding in the Navy where the commanding officer hears a minor case and imposes punishment short of a court-martial.

Why is it called a 'mast'?

The name survives from the historic practice of holding shipboard proceedings at the base of the ship's mast.

Is captain's mast the same as a court-martial?

No — it's a lesser, non-judicial process for minor offenses; a court-martial is a formal military trial for more serious charges.

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