English

Noun

king post ‎(plural king posts)

1. A central vertical supporting post used in architecture and bridge as well as in aircraft and ship design.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, chapter 27

     They called him King-Post on board of the Pequod; because, in form, he could be well likened to the short, square timber known by that name in Arctic whalers; and which by the means of many radiating side timbers inserted into it, serves to brace the ship against the icy concussions of those battering seas.

Alternative forms

• kingpost

Synonyms

• collar beam