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Which nautical term describes the direction toward a ship's stern?

stern

[sturn] / stɜrn /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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City, though, will undergo a stern examination upon their return to action after the three-week international hiatus, facing a trip to unbeaten Liverpool on Sunday, 11 October.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

Russian ambassadors in Berlin, London, Paris, Brussels and other capitals have been summoned by their hosts for stern lectures.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

Seen with the naked eye from the stern of our 40-foot tour boat, the dark blobs bobbing in the restless sea didn’t look like much.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

The stern and central section appear to have been covered with the same material, while researchers identified three distinct coating batches at the bow.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

“Delia, Velia,” Papá’s tone of voice was downright stern.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe GarcΓ­a McCall

Boats have toppled pilings, and hard landings have cracked sterns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Navy said Revolutionary Guard vessels repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns of several American ships at close range and high speed in the northern Gulf.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 22, 2020

With the sterns half-ashore, breakers could then cut in and dismantle the ships laterally, as a snacker might eat through a baguette.

From The Guardian ● May 2, 2017

Thousands of office workers rush past it every day without noticing its three bay windows carved as the sterns of baroque frigates, complete with waves, dolphins and trailing seaweed.

From New York Times ● Feb. 27, 2015

The fog was closing over the two ships, curling over their sterns and sails.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

Much sterner tests lie ahead for Rosenior, starting with a visit from Premier League leaders Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

From Barron's ● Jan. 10, 2026

But it remains to be seen whether this president and the country he leads are ready for the sterner tests to come.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025

But the remainder of the match proved a much sterner test of the former world number one's resolve.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2025

She gave a cursory glance to the children—and then a second, far sterner look.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

The blockage in the Persian Gulf poses the sternest test the reserves have ever faced.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026

The Islamic Republic's system faces its sternest test.

From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026

The challenge comes just as investors’ appetite for risk, and sentiment regarding tech stocks, face their sternest tests since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.

From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026

In death penalty cases, the legal system is put to its sternest test.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2025

The day’s adventures had made Penelope feel rather bold, and she spoke in her sternest and most Swanburnian tone.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood




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