Definition of STARBOARD

starboard

Meanings

Plural: starboards

Noun

  • the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
  • The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object.
  • One of the two traditional watches aboard a ship standing a watch in two.
  • A list where messages starred in a community space appear.
  • A system that enables such a list.

Verb

  • turn to the right, of helms or rudders
  • To put to the right, or starboard, side of a vessel.

Adjective Satellite

  • located on the right side of a ship or aircraft

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English sterbord, stere-bourd, stere-burd, from Old English stēorbord, from Proto-West Germanic *steurubord, equivalent to steer + board (“side (of a ship)”), referring to ancient ships with the steering oar set to the right (to accommodate right-handed crew). Ships had to dock on their left (port) side because the steering oar on the right would get in the way, which is how the left became known as the port side.

Synonyms

right

Scrabble Score: 12

starboard is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
starboard is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
starboard is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

starboard is a valid Words With Friends word