noun

starboard

STAH-buhd

noun

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

"The captain ordered the crew to turn hard to starboard."

verb

To steer or turn something to the right side of a vessel.

"The helmsman starboarded the wheel to avoid the rocks."

How to Use Starboard

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe right-hand side of a boat, ship, or aircraft, as opposed to "port" (the left side).

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "port," the left-hand side of a vessel — an easy way to remember: "port" and "left" both have four letters.

Easily confused with

port →

Common pairings

starboard side turn to starboard port and starboard

Word Forms

starboarded past tense, starboards plural, starboards plural, starboards singular

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Fill the Gap

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The captain ordered the crew to turn hard to _____.

Etymology

From Old English stēorbord, meaning "steering side" — ancient ships were steered using an oar mounted on the right side, which is why that side became known as starboard.

Rhymes for starboard

board hoard aboard onboard keyboard cupboard outboard seaboard backboard cardboard surfboard clipboard

See all rhymes for starboard →