astern

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈstərn 

1

: behind a ship

2

: at or toward the stern of a ship

3

: with the stern in advance : backward

Synonyms

• abaft
• aft
• sternward
• sternwards

Examples of astern in a Sentence

if you turn around and look astern, you'll see dolphins following the boat

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

astern

adverb

ə-ˈstərn 

1

: in, at, or toward the stern

2

: in a reverse direction : backward

full speed astern