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sternway

American

[sturn-way] / ˈstɜrnˌweɪ /

noun

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

sternway British

/ ˈstɜːnˌweɪ /

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

Etymology

Origin of sternway

First recorded in 1760–70; stern ² + way ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

sternway

Mr. Denny said, “Craziest thing I’ve ever seen, sir. Hardly enough wind to make sternway, and the waves are pounding us to pieces.”

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

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

From The Rescue A Romance of the Shallows by Joseph Conrad

In order to enable the vessel to turn speedily, she is fitted with the sternway rudder of Messrs. Thomson & Biles.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 620, November 19,1887 by Various

Do you feel strong enough to prevent the rudder taking charge if she gets sternway on her?

From The Shadow Line; a confession by Joseph Conrad

The ship was now gathering sternway, drifting rapidly to lee'ard the while.

From The Wireless Officer by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023