Forward vs. Aft — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
"Forward" refers to the front part of a ship or aircraft, indicating direction towards the bow, while "aft" refers to the rear part, near the stern, directing towards the back of the vessel.
Difference Between Forward and Aft
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Key Differences
The term "forward" in nautical and aeronautical contexts describes anything located towards the front of a vessel or aircraft, closer to the bow in ships and the nose in aircraft. On the other hand, "aft" points to locations towards the back, closer to the stern on ships and the tail in aircraft.
When moving "forward," one is heading towards the foremost part of the vessel, which is typically facing the direction of travel. Whereas, moving "aft" means moving towards the rear, which is away from the direction of travel and typically handles the wake or trail left by the movement.
The use of "forward" can also indicate advancement or progress in position, such as moving from a mid-ship cabin to one closer to the bow. Conversely, "aft" indicates a movement towards the back, often associated with areas near the engine room on larger vessels.
In terms of function, forward areas on many ships and planes are designed for navigation and lookout, hosting the bridge or cockpit. Aft areas, however, are often reserved for engines, steering mechanisms, or accommodations in commercial and leisure crafts.
Instructions involving "forward" and "aft" are crucial for safety and operational efficiency on board, ensuring that crew and passengers are aware of locations and directions relevant to their activities and emergency procedures.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Toward the front of a vessel
Toward the rear of a vessel
Directional Focus
Towards the bow or nose
Towards the stern or tail
Typical Usage
Navigation, lookout positions
Engine rooms, steering mechanisms
Movement Reference
Advancing towards the front
Moving towards the back
Safety and Operations
Often includes critical control areas like the bridge or cockpit
Includes areas crucial for propulsion and steering
Compare with Definitions
Forward
Pertaining to the front part of a ship or aircraft.
The captain steered the ship from the forward deck.
Aft
Often associated with lower decks on larger ships.
The crew’s quarters are located aft, below the main deck.
Forward
In military terms, it refers to positions closer to the enemy.
The forward bases were heavily fortified.
Aft
Refers to the back part of a ship or aircraft.
The engines are located aft, near the stern.
Forward
Also used metaphorically to indicate progress.
Moving forward, we need to reassess our strategies.
Aft
Describes areas near the rear of a vessel.
The aft cabins are quieter and more isolated.
Forward
Used to describe movement towards the bow of a ship.
He walked forward, approaching the bow.
Aft
In naval terms, it can refer to the rear part of an army or fleet.
The aft guard was tasked with protecting the retreat.
Forward
Indicates advancement in position or location.
They moved their luggage forward to be closer to the exit.
Aft
Used to indicate direction towards the stern.
He walked aft to check the equipment.
Forward
In the direction that one is facing or travelling; towards the front
He started up the engine and the car moved forward
Rory leaned forward over the table
Aft
"Aft", in nautical terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning 'towards the stern (rear) of the ship', when the frame of reference is within the ship, headed at the fore. For example, "Able Seaman Smith; lie aft!" or "What's happening aft?".
Forward
Onward so as to make progress
The signing of the treaty is a big step forward
Aft
At, in, toward, or close to the stern of a vessel or the rear of an aircraft or spacecraft.
Forward
Towards the future; ahead in time
Looking forward, earnings are expected to hit £7.2 billion
Aft
(nautical) The stern portion of a vessel.
Forward
Directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling
The pilot's forward view
Forward flight
Aft
: the time of day from noon until early evening.
Forward
Relating to the future
A twelve-month forward forecast
Aft
(nautical) At, near, or towards the stern of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
Forward
Progressing towards a successful conclusion
The decision is a forward step
Aft
Located at the back of a boat, ship, or airplane
Forward
(of a person) bold or overfamiliar in manner
I am not usually a forward sort of person
Aft
Near or towards the stern of a vessel; astern; abaft.
Forward
An attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.
Aft
(nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail
Forward
Agreements to trade specified assets, typically currency, at a specified price at a certain future date.
Aft
At or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane;
Stow the luggage aft
Ships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaft
The captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about
Forward
Send (a letter or email) on to a further destination
I recently received an email forwarded from a friend
My emails were forwarded to a friend
Forward
Help to advance (something); promote
The scientists are forwarding the development of biotechnology
Forward
At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore
The forward section of the aircraft.
Forward
Located ahead or in advance
Kept her eye on the forward horizon.
Forward
Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front
A forward plunge down a flight of stairs.
Forward
(Sports) Advancing toward an opponent's goal.
Forward
Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use
Forward rolling of the cassette tape.
Forward
Ardently inclined; eager.
Forward
Lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold
A forward child.
Forward
Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive
A forward concept.
Forward
Deviating radically from convention or tradition; extreme.
Forward
Exceptionally advanced; precocious.
Forward
Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future
A rise in the forward price of corn.
Forward
Toward or tending to the front; frontward
Step forward.
Forward
Into consideration
Put forward a new proposal.
Forward
In or toward the future
Looking forward to seeing you.
Forward
In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
Rolled the tape forward.
Forward
In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time
Set the clock forward.
Forward
At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday. See Usage Note at backward.
Forward
A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.
Forward
The position played by such a person.
Forward
To send on to a subsequent destination or address.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction in which someone or something is facing.
My forward vision is fine, but my peripheral vision is poor.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.
Forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum
Forward
(figuratively) Moving in the desired direction of progress.
This is an important forward step for the country.
Forward
Having the usual order or sequence.
The front of the fire engine has backward writing, that can be read in a mirror, as well as forward writing.
Forward
Expected or scheduled to take place in the future.
The stock price is currently 12 times forward earnings.
The price for forward delivery is presently higher than the spot price.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; precocious.
These students are very forward in their learning.
The grass is forward, or forward for the season. We have a forward spring.
Forward
Without customary restraint or modesty; bold, cheeky, pert, presumptuous or pushy.
She is a very forward young lady, not afraid to speak her mind.
Forward
(obsolete) Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.
Forward
At, near or towards the front of something.
She was sitting well forward in the railway carriage.
The bus driver told everyone standing up to move forward.
Forward
(nautical) At, near, or towards the bow of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
Forward
In the direction in which someone or something is facing.
I leant forward to get a better look.
The grandfather clock toppled forward and crashed to the ground.
Forward
In the desired or usual direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively; onwards.
After spending an hour stuck in the mud, we could once again move forward.
Wind the film forward a few frames.
Don't forget to put the clocks forward by one hour tonight!
We need to move this project forward.
Forward
So that front and back are in the usual orientation.
Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.
Forward
In the usual order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
Forward
Into the future.
From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.
Forward
To an earlier point in time. See also bring forward.
The meeting has been moved forward an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 2 o'clock.
Forward
(transitive) To advance, promote.
He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.
Forward
(transitive) To send (a letter, email etc.) on to a third party.
I'll be glad to forward your mail to you while you're gone.
Forward
To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.
Forward
(rugby) One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).
Forward
(soccer) A player on a team in football (soccer) in the row nearest to the opposing team's goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals.
Forward
(ice hockey) An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.
Forward
(basketball) The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.
Forward
(nautical) The front part of a vessel.
Forward
(Internet) An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.
Forward
(finance) A direct agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific point in the future; distinguished from a futures contract in that the latter is standardized and traded on an exchange.
Forward contract
Forward
Misspelling of foreword.
Forward
Agreement; covenant.
Forward
An agreement; a covenant; a promise.
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.
Forward
Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; - opposed to backward.
Forward
Ready; prompt; strongly inclined; in an ill sense, overready; too hasty.
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Nor do we find him forward to be sounded.
Forward
Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years.
I have known men disagreeably forward from their shyness.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; as, the grass is forward, or forward for the season; we have a forward spring.
The most forward budIs eaten by the canker ere it blow.
Forward
To help onward; to advance; to promote; to accelerate; to quicken; to hasten; as, to forward the growth of a plant; to forward one in improvement.
Forward
To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter.
Forward
The person who plays the position of forward on a basketball team
Forward
A position on a basketball team
Forward
Send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit;
Forward my mail
Forward
At or near or directed toward the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
A forward plunge down the stairs
Forward motion
Forward
Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events
Forward
Used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty;
A forward child badly in need of discipline
Forward
Of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle;
In a forward gear
Forward
Moving forward
Forward
Situated at or toward the front;
The fore cabins
The forward part of the ship
Forward
Situated in the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
Forward
At or to or toward the front;
He faced forward
Step forward
She practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine
Forward
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
Forward
Toward the future; forward in time;
I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
I look forward to seeing you
Forward
In a forward direction;
Go ahead
The train moved ahead slowly
The boat lurched ahead
Moved onward into the forest
They went slowly forward in the mud
Forward
Near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane;
The captain went fore (or forward) to check the instruments
Common Curiosities
What are the typical functionalities located forward on a cruise ship?
Navigation bridges and sometimes passenger cabins or observation decks.
What does "forward" mean on a ship?
It refers to the front part, near the bow.
Why is it important to know forward and aft on a vessel?
For navigation, safety, and efficient movement on board.
What is the aft of a ship?
The aft is the rear part of a ship, near the stern.
Can "forward" and "aft" be used on aircraft as well as ships?
Yes, these terms apply to both aircraft and ships.
What is located aft on most large vessels?
Engine rooms and sometimes leisure facilities like lounges or dining areas.
Are there any specific safety reasons to differentiate between forward and aft?
Yes, knowing the layout helps in emergency evacuations and understanding safety protocol.
What kind of activities generally take place in the aft part of a boat?
Engine operation, steering, and sometimes leisure activities.
How do forward and aft relate to port and starboard?
Forward and aft indicate front and back, while port and starboard refer to left and right sides facing forward.
Is the forward part of an airplane different in any way from that of a ship?
Functionally similar as both include the cockpit or control area; structurally different due to aircraft design.
What does "aft" mean in the context of airplane seating?
Seating towards the rear of the aircraft, near the tail.
Is there a visual marker that indicates forward on a ship?
Often the bow shape and the positioning of the bridge are indicators.
How does one determine forward from aft in a simple way?
Forward is always towards the front end, and aft is towards the back end.
What would be a quick tip for remembering forward vs. aft?
Remember: forward is front; aft is after, or towards the back.
Can passengers access forward and aft areas freely on cruises?
It depends on the ship's design and safety regulations; some areas might be restricted.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
