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definitions

sternway

[sturn-wey]
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noun

Nautical. the movement of a vessel backward, or stern foremost.

Origin of sternway

First recorded in 1760–70; stern2 + way1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sternway

Historical Examples of sternway

  • The brig may get a lot of sternway on her should this squall not strike her fairly.

    The Rescue

    Joseph Conrad

  • This gives her sternway, and the after sails and helm keep her to the wind.

    The Seaman's Friend

    Richard Henry Dana

  • Belay all that—down with the helm, now don't you see she has sternway yet?

    Tom Cringle's Log

    Michael Scott

  • The helm, being put down to bring her up, will now pay her off, as she has sternway on.

    The Seaman's Friend

    Richard Henry Dana

  • Therefore, when sternway is on a vessel, put the helm in the same direction in which the head is to be turned.

    The Seaman's Friend

    Richard Henry Dana

British Dictionary definitions for sternway

sternway

noun

nautical movement of a vessel sternforemost
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