astern
adverb or adjective
2
: at or toward the stern of a ship
Examples of astern in a Sentence
if you turn around and look astern, you'll see dolphins following the boat
Word History
First Known Use
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of astern was
in 1570
Cite this Entry
“Astern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astern. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.
Kids Definition
1
: in, at, or toward the stern
2
: in a reverse direction : backward
full speed astern
More from Merriam-Webster on astern
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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