How to pronounce starboard
Say it like STAR-berd. Starboard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce starboard. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STAR
- berd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Starboard pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- berdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of starboard
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STAH-bud.
What does starboard mean?
- The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object.“I see another vessel off the starboard side.”
- One of the two traditional watches aboard a ship standing a watch in two.
- A list that shows messages starred in a community space.
- A system that enables such a list.
- To put to the right, or starboard, side of a vessel.
Where does starboard come from?
From Middle English sterbord, stere-bourd, stere-burd, from Old English stēorbord, from Proto-West Germanic *steurubord, equivalent to steer + board (“side (of a ship)”), referring to ancient ships with the steering oar set to the right (to
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying starboard
How do you pronounce starboard?
Say STAR-berd. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɑrbɚd/. In British English it is /ˈstɑːbəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in starboard?
Starboard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAR). Broken into parts: STAR · berd.
Is starboard pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈstɑːbəd/ (STAH-bud).