starboard – English noun declension

English noun forms of starboard

Noun: starboard
Singularstarboard
Pluralstarboards

Sample Sentences

  • I see another vessel off the starboard side.
  • We're on starboard tack, so the other boat has to give way.
  • Now stow the mainsail as follows, preferably with the sail still lying in the starboard cockpit: beginning at the head, fold the upper section so that the upper two battens are aligned together; then tightly roll the sail from the head down to the foot. Reinsert the sail into its bag. [(Can we date this quote?), “RS Quest Rigging Instructions”, in California State University, Sacramento, page 3:]

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.

Verbs referencing "starboard"

French Nouns tribord, Icelandic Nouns stjórnborði.