It is the mast that occupies the most forward (toward the bow, or up front) of positions on a multi-masted ship.
If there are two masts, the other longer mast closest to the middle of the ship would be the mainmast.
If there are three masts, the mast closest to the stern (aft) would be the mizzenmast.
forecastle foremast
the lowest sail on the foremast of a ship
USS Maine
Mizzen Mast,Foremast,Main Mast,Rudder,Bow,Stern
"Pirate ships" nominally had three: the foremast, mainmast, mizzenmast.
On the foremast.
A barque a sailing ship, typically with three masts, in which the foremast and mainmast are square-rigged and the mizzenmast is rigged fore-and-aft.
A Brigantine is a two masted sailing ship, square rigging on the foremast and fore and aft on the main.. There is a medieval Latin word 'Brigantinus, becoming an Italian word 'Brigantino' meaning an armed escort ship. The name was adopted into French as 'Brigantin' and English as 'Brigantine'
bow stern keel foremast centermast radarpost
The front mast is called the Foremast. Sometimes it is called the mizzen mast.
You're probably thinking of the bowsprit, to which the stays of the foremast are attached.
The sails at the very front pointy end (the bow) are "jibsails", the sails attached to the foremast are the "foresails', the sails attached to the mainmast are the "mainsails", and the sails attached to the mizzenmast are the "mizzensails". For more information, please see the related link below: