A piece of standing rigging that runs fore-and-aft to keep a mast upright and prevent it from snapping under the load of the sails. Forestays run forward to the bow, while backstays run aft to the stern. The term can also refer to a designated anchorage or mooring station for vessels waiting in a harbor.
Heard on the job
We need to tension the inner forestay before we hoist the storm jib.