abaft

Toward the rudder

Abaft has limited use in seafaring, aviation, and spaceflight, where it is the equivalent of behind in referring to physical location on a vessel.

position

astern

Toward a vessel's rear

sternStrict or ship's aft
rearBack portion or raise
behindAt the rear

aftward · rearward · backward · trailing · posterior · hindmost · back · rearmost · following

shipparts

quarterdeck

Ship's elevated aft platform

poopdeckRaised stern deck
rudderPivoting stern blade
tillerBoat steering lever

transom · sternpost · fantail · lazarette · propeller · counter · davit · ensign · cabin

nautical

helm

Vessel's steering mechanism

deckShip's flat surface
bulkheadInternal vessel barrier
mastVessel's sail support

rigging · keel · galley · portside · starboard · bow · forecastle · binnacle · anchor · berth

navigation

bearing

Posture or orientation

coursePlanned path forward
compassDevice showing cardinal directions
abeamPerpendicular to keel

amidships · aloft · below · forward · aweigh · port · starboard · fore · weather · leeward

Categories

nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed

Opposites

nautical position relative to midship

abaftfore

Toward the front

forward · ahead · before · afore · anteriorly

Phrases

taken abackShocked into momentary confusion

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G