first matenoun [ C ]
uk/ˌfɜːst ˈmeɪt/us/ˌfɝːst ˈmeɪt/the second most important officer on a ship that is not part of the navy
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ship's officers
- boatswain
- bosun
- first officer
- master
- mate
- purser
- sea captain
- skipper
Examples from literature
- His first mate, who had sailed under him four years, had never dared broach him on the subject of matrimony.
- I'll give you a job as my first mate.
- The captain, the first mate, and two seamen were at the wheel.
- The first mate and the rest of the crew waited on the vessel to receive and stow away the cargo.
- The pilot and first mate, who were on the bridge, had just been joined by the captain.