starboard

[ stahr-berd, -bawrd, -bohrd ]

/ ˈstɑr bərd, -ˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

the right-hand side of or direction from a vessel or aircraft, facing forward.

adjective

of or pertaining or located to the starboard.

adverb

toward the right side.

verb (used with or without object)

to turn (the helm) to starboard.

Nearby words

star-spangled banner, star-spangled banner, the, star-struck, star-studded, stara zagora, starboard, starburst, starch, starch blocker, starch syrup, starch-reduced

Origin of starboard

before 900; Middle English sterbord (noun), Old English stēorbord, equivalent to stēor steering (see steer¹) + bord side (see board)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for starboard

So not only will the GOP have control in the Senate, it will move the center of gravity on Capitol Hill hard to starboard.
The Democrats’ Black Hole—and What They Can Do About It|Michael Tomasky|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Correction: The original article stated that Starboard Strategic Inc. had undertaken the Internet media buy for the NRA.
A Tom Cotton Ad on Grindr?|Ben Jacobs|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After it has been uprighted, sponsons will be welded to the starboard side that has been underwater for a year.
Risky Rescue: A Year After It Sank, Raising the Costa Concordia|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The helmsman, who did not speak English or Italian fluently, responded, “Hard to Starboard?”
Costa Concordia’s Captain’s Culpability in Crash and Deaths Weighed by Judge|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Then it shut down all the thrusters on the starboard side, leaving the 24-foot Deepsea Challenger spinning in a circle.
James Cameron Plans Next Dive After Surfacing From Ocean Abyss|Jacqui Goddard|March 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
By this time the runners had made the curve at the bow of the boat and were coming up the starboard side, toward the stern.
The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service|James R. Driscoll
The senior officers of the flagship stood grouped on the starboard rail.
Where Strongest Tide Winds Blew|Robert McReynolds
The boats on the port side are smashed, and those on starboard cannot be lowered.
Over the Seas for Uncle Sam|Elaine Sterne
I hastened over breakfast in order to get into the garden in time to fix up the starboard fence.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, December 1, 1920|Various
The same, says Montague, wavin the starboard extension of the checkerboard.
Ainslee's magazine, Volume 16, No. 2, September, 1905|Various

British Dictionary definitions for starboard

starboard

/ (ˈstɑːbəd, -ˌbɔːd) /

noun

the right side of an aeroplane or vessel when facing the nose or bowCompare port 2

adjective

relating to or on the starboard

verb

to turn or be turned towards the starboard

Word Origin for starboard

Old English stēorbord, literally: steering side, from stēor steering paddle + bord side; see steer 1, board; from the fact that boats were formerly steered by a paddle held over the right-hand side

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

Word Origin and History for starboard

starboard

Old English steorbord, literally "side on which a vessel was steered," from steor- "rudder, steering paddle" (see steer (v.)) + bord "ship's side" (see board (n.2)). Cf. Old Norse stjornborði, Low German stürbord, German Steuerbord.

Early Germanic peoples' boats were propelled and steered by a paddle on the right side. French tribord (Old French estribord), Italian stribordo are Germanic loan-words.