A mizzen is the name for the shorter mast located toward the back of a sailing ship that has multiple masts. On a three-masted ship, you'd find the foremast at the front, the mainmast (the tallest) in the middle, and the mizzen mast at the rear. The sail attached to this mast is called the mizzen sail.

The mizzen mast played an important role in steering and balancing large sailing vessels. While the mainmast provided most of the power, the mizzen helped sailors control the ship's direction and stability, especially in tricky winds or tight maneuvers.

On old warships and merchant vessels, the mizzen mast was crucial for sailing efficiency. Famous ships like HMS Victory and the Mayflower had mizzen masts. Today, you'll still see mizzen masts on traditional sailing vessels and some modern sailboats called ketches and yawls.

If you ever tour a historic sailing ship or tall ship, the mizzen mast is the one closest to the stern, usually noticeably shorter than the mainmast in front of it.