stern sheets

plural noun

, Nautical.

1. the after part of an open boat, occupied by the person in command or by passengers.

stern sheets

plural noun

1. nautical the part of an open boat near the stern

Word History and Origins

Origin of stern sheets¹

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

The captain's white gig having been manned, he seated himself in the stern sheets, a large flag trailing in the water behind him.

From Project Gutenberg

The coxswain could scarce suppress a grin as the instructor stepped into the stern sheets.

From Project Gutenberg

His clothes were wet and the stern-sheets were covered with spray.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain himself is in the stern-sheets, tiller-lines in hand.

From Project Gutenberg

It was she, my wife Bathsheba, laid there by the stern-sheets on a spare-sail, with a bundle of oilskins to cushion her.

From Project Gutenberg