What does starboard mean?
Starboard means the right-hand side of a ship or vehicle when one is facing forward. The term is chiefly associated with nautical and aviation language, where it distinguishes the right side from port, the left side. It may be used as a noun, as in “the object was off the starboard bow”; as an adjective, as in “the starboard rail”; or as an adverb, as in “the ship veered starboard.” The word comes from an Old English compound meaning “the side of the ship bearing a star.” Although modern navigation relies increasingly on electronic positioning and compass headings, starboard remains a standard term in maritime communication and seamanship. Its historical alternative, larboard, is less common today but can sound distinctive in older, literary, or traditional nautical contexts.
The right-hand side of a ship or other vehicle when facing forward.
"A buoy was visible to starboard."
Chiefly nautical, though it is also used in aviation and other technical contexts.
Situated on, facing, or directed toward the right-hand side of a ship or vehicle.
"The captain ordered the starboard engine to reverse."
The standard form is starboard; starboard's is occasionally used before a noun but is uncommon.
Toward or to the right-hand side of a ship or vehicle.
"The aircraft turned starboard to avoid the storm."
This is primarily a formal nautical and aviation usage.
The plural is uncommon; the word is normally used in fixed expressions such as “on the starboard side.”
"The two boats lay on opposite starboards."
Before steering wheels became standard, sailors used the words starboard and port because the right side was marked with a star and the left with a painted port.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does starboard come from?
Starboard descends from Old English steorbord, a compound meaning “the side of a ship bearing a star,” with steorra meaning “star” and bord meaning “side” or “edge.” The Middle English form was sterboard or starbord. The word entered modern English through Anglo-Norman and Old French forms derived from comparable Germanic elements. Related words include Dutch stuurboord, Swedish styrbord, and German Steuerbord, all of which refer to a vessel's right-hand side.
How starboard is actually used
Primarily a nautical term, though it is also used in aviation and other contexts involving a defined left and right side. In informal nautical speech, the alternative sidewords starboard and port are commonly contrasted. The formerly common form larboard survives chiefly in literary or historical usage.
Easily confused with starboard
Starboard is the right-hand side of a vessel when facing forward, whereas port is the left-hand side.
Starboard is a nautical direction meaning the right-hand side, while a starburst is a radiating explosion or a star-like display.