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starboard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˈstɑːbəd/US/ˈstɑːrbərd/

Technical/nautical, formal

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Quick answer

What does “starboard” mean?

The right side of a ship or aircraft when facing forward.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The right side of a ship or aircraft when facing forward.

A nautical term referring to the right-hand side of a vessel or aircraft; also used as a command to turn or steer toward the right side.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; both follow identical nautical conventions.

Connotations

Technical/nautical professionalism; identical in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low in general language but consistently used in maritime/aviation contexts in both UK and US.

Grammar

How to Use “starboard” in a Sentence

turn + starboard (intransitive)helm + starboard (command)list + to + starboard

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
hard starboardstarboard sidestarboard bowstarboard engine
medium
turn starboardstarboard quarterstarboard lightstarboard tack
weak
starboard wingstarboard deckstarboard cabin

Examples

Examples of “starboard” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The captain ordered to starboard the helm.
  • We need to starboard sharply to avoid the buoy.

American English

  • The pilot will starboard the aircraft on approach.
  • Starboard the rudder five degrees.

adverb

British English

  • The yacht turned starboard to enter the marina.
  • Look starboard for the lighthouse.

American English

  • Steer starboard to align with the channel.
  • The dinghy drifted starboard.

adjective

British English

  • The starboard lifeboat was deployed.
  • Check the starboard navigation light.

American English

  • The starboard engine is overheating.
  • Inspect the starboard hull plating.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in shipping, logistics, or aviation industries.

Academic

Appears in maritime history, naval architecture, or aviation studies.

Everyday

Rare; mostly known from films/books about sailing or flying.

Technical

Standard in nautical and aeronautical communication for direction and safety.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “starboard”

Neutral

right side (nautical/aviation)

Weak

steerboard (archaic)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “starboard”

portlarboard (archaic)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “starboard”

  • Using 'starboard' for left side (confusion with 'port').
  • Applying to cars or non-maritime vehicles (inappropriate register).
  • Misspelling as 'starboard' or 'starbord'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It comes from Old English 'steorbord' meaning 'steer-board', as Viking ships were steered with a paddle on the right side.

Yes, it is standard aviation terminology for the right side of an aircraft when facing forward.

Rarely; it's primarily a technical term in nautical and aviation contexts, though understood by many.

Both 'starboard' and 'right' contain the letter 'R'. Alternatively, 'port' and 'left' both have four letters.

The right side of a ship or aircraft when facing forward.

Starboard is usually technical/nautical, formal in register.

Starboard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːbəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːrbərd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “hard-a-starboard (archaic command)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

STARboard has 'right' in it—both words have an 'R' (STARboard = RIGHT side).

Conceptual Metaphor

DIRECTION AS A FIXED SIDE (metaphorical extension to any right-side orientation in a system).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The cruise ship docked with its side facing the harbour.
Multiple Choice

What is the opposite of 'starboard' on a ship?