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astern

[ uh-sturn ]
/ əˈstɜrn /
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See synonyms for astern on Thesaurus.com
adverb
in a position behind a specified vessel or aircraft: The cutter was following close astern.
in a backward direction: The steamer went astern at half speed.
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Origin of astern

First recorded in 1620–30; a-1 + stern2

Words nearby astern

asteraceous, astereognosis, asteriated, asterisk, asterism, astern, asternal, asteroid, asteroid belt, Asteroidea, asteroidean
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to astern

abaft, aft, rear, rearward

How to use astern in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for astern

astern
/ (əˈstɜːn) /
adverb, adjective (postpositive) nautical
at or towards the stern
with the stern firstfull speed astern!
aft of the stern of a vessel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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