What does "starboard" mean?
The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object.
Starboard
/ˈstɑː.bəd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object.
- Grammar: starboard is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: astarboard, clockwise, companion, conservative.
- Useful contrasts: larboard, larboards, left.
- Usage evidence: I always confuse which side is port and which starboard.
How to use "starboard"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "starboard" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "starboard" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "starboard" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "starboard" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "starboard" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "astarboard" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "starboard", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object. countable, uncountable
"I see another vessel off the starboard side."
- 2 A list that shows messages starred in a community space.
"The unlimited starring power is an arguably useful feature because it enables management of the starboard with notifications and the like, but I see nothing in the informal job description of a room owner that says they have any more right to spam the room than I do."
- 3 the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose wordnet
- 4 One of the two traditional watches aboard a ship standing a watch in two. countable, uncountable
- 5 A system that enables such a list. figuratively
"In case you don't know what a starboard is, it's basically a system used on Discord that whenever you react with a star emoji, the message is showcased inside of a #starboard channel."
Verb
- 1 To put to the right, or starboard, side of a vessel. transitive
"to starboard the helm"
- 2 turn to the right, of helms or rudders wordnet
Adjective
- 1 located on the right side of a ship or aircraft wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"I always confuse which side is port and which starboard."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "starboard"?
Common synonyms include: astarboard, clockwise, companion, conservative, decanal side, dexter.
How do you use "starboard" in a sentence?
I always confuse which side is port and which starboard.
How do you pronounce "starboard"?
Pronounced /ˈstɑː.bəd/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
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.
Etymology 2
From star + board. The earliest known use was in 2013 on Meta Stack Exchange.