Pronunciation: /əˈstɜrn/

Definitions of astern

adjective located behind a ship

Example Sentences

A1 The boat was moving astern towards the dock.

A2 The ship's engines were put in reverse, causing it to move astern.

B1 The captain ordered the crew to steer astern to avoid a collision.

B2 The astern thrusters helped the ship maneuver into the narrow harbor.

C1 The expert helmsman skillfully guided the vessel astern through the crowded port.

C2 The ship's astern propulsion system allowed for precise control in tight spaces.

adverb in a backward direction

Example Sentences

A1 The boat moved astern as it left the dock.

A2 The captain ordered the crew to steer astern to avoid the rocks.

B1 The ship slowly drifted astern as the wind picked up.

B2 The sailor expertly maneuvered the boat astern into the narrow harbor.

C1 The submarine silently slipped astern to avoid detection by enemy ships.

C2 The experienced captain skillfully navigated the ship astern through the treacherous waters.

Examples of astern in a Sentence

formal The ship slowly moved astern to dock at the port.

informal He reversed the car astern into the parking spot.

slang She decided to back the truck astern to avoid hitting the pole.

figurative The project seemed to be moving astern as deadlines were missed.

Grammatical Forms of astern

past tense

asterned

plural

asterns

comparative

more astern

superlative

most astern

present tense

astern

future tense

will astern

perfect tense

have asterned

continuous tense

is asterning

singular

astern

positive degree

astern

infinitive

to astern

gerund

asterning

participle

asterned

Origin and Evolution of astern

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'astern' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'æftan' meaning 'from behind.'
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'astern' has retained its nautical meaning of 'behind a ship' but has also come to be used more broadly to mean 'in a backward direction' in various contexts.