Spanish word

asta

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈasta/

Meaning

  • feminine nounflagpole

Example

Colocaron el asta en la plaza para el desfile.

They placed the flagpole in the square for the parade.

Illustration for asta (flagpole)

More examples

Encontraron un asta de ciervo en el bosque.

They found a deer antler in the forest.

Core concept

Upright wooden or metal pole used to hoist a flag.

Common phrases

  • el asta de la bandera

    flagpole

  • el asta del barco

    mast

  • sujetar el asta

    hold the flagpole

Similar words

poste: Pole set in the ground to support signs or utility wires along roads.
mástil: Long vertical pole fixed to a ship or building for hoisting a flag.
palo: Simple wooden stick used as a tool or support.

Definition in Spanish

Elemento vertical, a menudo de madera o metal, usado para izar banderas; también usado para nombrar la parte puntiaguda o el mango de algunos objetos.

Word origin

The Spanish word comes from Latin hasta 'spear', and its meaning widens from 'spear' to any long pole and then to flagpoles and to pointed parts or handles of objects.

Usage tips

  • Use palo for a generic stick while asta names the formal pole for flags, and when speaking of raising a flag Spanish normally uses izar rather than levantar.

Other meanings

  • hornnoun
  • shaftnoun

Word lists with this word