stern sheets

American  

plural noun

Nautical.

1. the after part of an open boat, occupied by the person in command or by passengers.

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stern sheets British  

plural noun

1. nautical the part of an open boat near the stern

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Etymology

Origin of stern sheets

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

Seated in the stern sheets were small King Victor Emmanuel and large Queen Elena of Italy, swathed in pearls.

From Time Magazine Archive

The coxswain, producing a small handlantern from the stern sheets flashed it upon the group of figures gathered at the water's edge four Boy Scouts.

From Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. A story of the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

So saying, she sets herself square in the stern sheets, and closes her fingers firmly upon the tiller-cords.

From Gwen Wynn A Romance of the Wye by Reid, Mayne

In the stern sheets sat an old woman.

From Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 by Barnes, James

The planter and the boys seated themselves in the stern sheets of the Magnolia.

From Brother Against Brother The War on the Border by Optic, Oliver