astern

(adjective, adverb)

adjective

1. (nautical) behind

adverb

1. stern foremost or backward

- the steamer went astern at half speed

2. at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

- the captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about

Similar word(s): abaft, aft

3. (of a ship or an airplane) behind

- we dropped her astern on the end of a seven-inch manilla, and she laid comfortably on the ebb tide

Sentences with astern as an adverb:

- He signalled the engineroom to go astern: in other words, to run the engine in such a way as to put the ship beyond the present position of her stern, as viewed from aboard.