starboard

American  

[stahr-berd, -bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈstɑr bərd, -ˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

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

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adjective

1. of or pertaining or located to the starboard.

adverb

1. toward the right side.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to turn (the helm) to starboard.

starboard British  

/ ˈstɑːbəd, -ˌbɔːd /

noun

1. the right side of an aeroplane or vessel when facing the nose or bow Compare port 2

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adjective

1. relating to or on the starboard

verb

1. to turn or be turned towards the starboard

Etymology

Origin of starboard

before 900; Middle English sterbord (noun), Old English stēorbord, equivalent to stēor steering ( steer ¹ ) + bord side ( board )

Example Sentences

It said the tanker sustained only "minor damage" on the starboard side and that none of the 20-strong crew were hurt.

From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025

He ducked back into his cabin but couldn’t find anything, and then he felt the ship roll to starboard and saw water pour through his cabin door.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

Two light cruisers and the USS Utah lay off its starboard bow, and Battleship Row, the famed but vulnerable roadstead for the Navy’s mightiest, was on the other side of Ford Island.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2024

My father was clambering to get us leeward against capsize when my mother took to the starboard bow.

From Salon • May 11, 2024

A big, jagged hole snaked along the starboard side near the bow.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray