starboard

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object.
2. (countable, uncountable) One of the two traditional watches aboard a ship standing a watch in two.

Verb

To put to the right, or starboard, side of a vessel.

Opposite of

port, backboard, larboard, leeboard, left

Synonyms

control

counsel

direct

draw rein

drive

govern

guide

head

instruct

lead

mentor

navigate

pilot

🧑‍✈️

redirect

refer

route

steer

supervise

tutor

usher

stage direct

Translations

tribord

estribor

Steuerbord

stuurboord

tribordo

dritta

estibordo

boreste

sancak

estribord

δεξιά πλευρά

στρίβω δεξιά

δεξιό μέρος

δεξιά πλευρά πλοίου

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈstɑː.bəd/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sterbord

Inherited from Old English: stēorbord

In summary

From Middle English sterbord, stere-bourd, stere-burd, from Old English stēorbord, from Proto-West Germanic *steurubord, equivalent to steer + board (“side (of a ship)”), referring to ancient ships with the steering oar set to the right (to accommodate right-handed crew). Ships had to dock on their left (port) side because the steering oar on the right would get in the way, which is how the left became known as the port side.