Aft vs. Astern

Aft vs. Astern — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Aft and Astern

Aftnoun

(nautical) The stern portion of a vessel.

Asternadverb

Behind a vessel; in the rear.

Aftnoun

: the time of day from noon until early evening.

Asternadverb

In the direction of the stern; backward motion; to the rear.

Aftadverb

(nautical) At, near, or towards the stern of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).

Asternadverb

At or toward the rear of a vessel.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aftadjective

located at the back of a boat, ship, or airplane

Asternadjective

Behind a vessel; having a bearing of 180 degrees from ahead.

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

Aftadjective

(nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail

Asternadverb

stern foremost or backward;

the steamer went astern at half speed

Aftadverb

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

stow the luggage aftships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaftthe captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about

Asternadverb

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

stow the luggage aftships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaftthe captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about
ADVERTISEMENT

Asternadverb

(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