jib

Jib is a term used in several trades to refer to a projecting arm or an auxiliary sail. It appears in sailing, construction and industrial lifting, and film and video production, among other contexts. The meaning depends on the domain, but in each case the word typically denotes an extension or forward-reaching component.

In sailing, a jib is a triangular headsail set forward of the foremast. It is attached to a stay and works with the mainsail to propel the boat. Jibs vary in size and cut, from small storm jibs to larger genoas that overlap the mainsail. The jib’s shape and tension affect upwind performance, balance, and maneuverability. Handling involves adjusting the jib sheets and sometimes furling or reefing the sail in heavy weather.

In cranes and lifting gear, the jib is the horizontal or inclined arm that carries the hoist. Jib cranes can be fixed or movable and may run on rails or be mounted to a wall or column. The length and design of the jib determine reach and lifting capacity, while the fixed post provides vertical support and rotation. The term also appears in other lifting devices where an extension arm supports a load.

In film and video production, a camera jib is a specialized crane that holds a camera on a boom. It enables smooth vertical and horizontal movements to achieve dynamic shots, often combining with other stabilization and track systems. Jib shots are valued for their wide range of motion and elevated perspectives.

Across uses, the common theme is an extended arm or sail that reaches beyond a primary structure to perform a function such as propulsion, lifting, or filming.