starboard

1 of 3

noun

star·​board ˈstär-bərd How to pronounce starboard (audio)
: the right side of a ship or aircraft looking forward compare port

starboard

2 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or situated to starboard

starboard

3 of 3

verb

starboarded; starboarding; starboards

transitive verb

: to turn or put (a helm or rudder) to the right

Examples of starboard in a Sentence

Noun The ship turned to starboard.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
While testing out new menus and chefs along itineraries may prove the norm, a capable, modern galley is located along the starboard side of the saloon should consensus dictate dining on board. Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Related article The world’s most challenging cruise ship routes In 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line vessel Norwegian Sun hit a piece of an iceberg while sailing in Alaska, sustaining damage to its starboard bow. Francesca Street, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The collision ripped a hole in Barge 129’s starboard side. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Oct. 2022 The left main gear was good but the right main (the large forward gear leg on the starboard side of the Fury) would not fully lower and lock. Eric Tegler, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Verb
To starboard is Vava II, the gleaming 315-foot superyacht owned by Alinghi Red Bull Racing chairman Ernesto Bertarelli, who has brought the Swiss team back into the America’s Cup after being absent for 14 years. Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2024 The main living area features a comfortable lounge, a dining area to starboard, and a bar to port. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for starboard 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sterbord, from Old English stēorbord, from stēor- steering oar + bord ship's side — more at steer, board entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of starboard was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near starboard

Cite this Entry

“Starboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starboard. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

starboard

1 of 2 noun
star·​board ˈstär-bərd How to pronounce starboard (audio)
: the right side of a ship or aircraft looking forward

starboard

2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or situated to starboard
Etymology

Noun

Old English stēorbord "starboard, side of a ship from which it is steered," from stēor "steering oar" and bord "the side of a ship"

Word Origin
The word starboard has nothing whatever to do with stars. The star- part of the word used to be spelled stēor- in Old English and referred to the steering oar or rudder of a ship. In those days the rudder was located on the side of the ship to the right of a person facing toward the bow. Nowadays, of course, the rudder is at the stern. The -board part of the word refers not to a plank but to a whole side of a ship. This meaning survives today in the verb to board a ship or airplane. The side opposite the starboard is usually called the port. The name probably comes from the fact that this side faced the port or dock when the ship was steered into a harbor. The port side is sometimes also called the larboard. The lar- part of this word was spelled lade- in Old English. It probably came from the verb laden, meaning "to load." So the larboard was the side from which the cargo was loaded and unloaded.

More from Merriam-Webster on starboard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!