A foremast is the mast closest to the front (or bow) of a sailing ship that has multiple masts. On a three-masted ship like the famous clipper ships of the 1800s, the foremast stands at the front, the mainmast rises in the middle (and is typically the tallest), and the mizzenmast stands at the back.

The foremast carries its own set of sails that help propel and steer the vessel. Sailors had to climb the foremast to adjust these sails according to wind conditions, a dangerous job that required both courage and skill, especially during storms. The foremast and its rigging were crucial for balanced sailing: if a ship lost its foremast in a storm, the vessel became much harder to control.

On a ship, anything toward the front is forward or fore, while anything toward the back is aft or astern.