Astern

/əˈstɝn/ · adverb

Meaning

Behind (a vessel); in the rear..

Definitions by Sense

1. Behind (a vessel); in the rear.
2. In the direction of the stern; backward (motion); to the rear.
3. (obsolete or rare) At or toward the rear of a vessel.
4. Behind a vessel; having a bearing of 180 degrees from ahead.

Example Sentences

After we had row'd, or rather driven about a League and a Half, as we reckon'd it, a raging Wave, Mountain-like, came rowling a-stern of us, and plainly bad us expect the Coup-de-Grace.

If one ship is following another, the first is astern of the second.

When we first espied the Dutch fleet sailing towards us, our whole blue squadron was astern much farther from us, so that Prince Rupert thought it absolutely necessary to slacken sail that they might have time to join us.

Every yachtsman knows that if the ballast of a ship be too afore or too astern.

The chief engineer's evidence of the S.S. Lennox was the best given; but, as will be seen, he asserted that from the orders he received the Lennox's course was more astern than ahead.

but when near Cape Palmas the wind will perhaps be more astern

The galley fire was lighted; coffee was boiled; the sun shone brightly, and the ship astern was coming up fast.

The steamer was more than ahead of us, just on our quarter as we say, and the light was more astern.

Synonyms for astern

Antonyms for astern

Related Words

Word Forms

• more astern
• most astern

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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