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 little middy, sitting in the stern sheets, had folded his arms; but he was swinging backward and forward to every lift and heave, with the same strange grin upon his face.

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

There are two men in it—one rowing, the other seated in the stern sheets, steering.

From Gwen Wynn by Reid, Mayne

They left the ship in a boat rowed by full-grown sailors, and with their two sons, who were going home for their holidays, sitting in the stern sheets.

From Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888 by VII, Edward

There are two men in it; one rowing, the other seated in the stern sheets, steering.

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