APPENDIX I
GLOSSARY
When you start a new job, you’re usually faced with the task of learning the vocabulary of that job. The Navy has
a language all of its own. One way to learn the vocabulary of the job is to look up terms in a glossary.
This glossary contains many terms used by the Navy. It’s not all-inclusive; that is, not all terms are here. If
you want to find out more about Navy terms, refer to Naval Terminology, Naval Warfare Publication 3
(Revision E).
AA—Antiaircraft.
ABAFT—Further aft, as “Aba f t the beam.”
ABEAM—On a relative bearing of 90 (abeam to
starboard) or 270 (abeam to port).
ABOARD—In or on a ship. Extended to use ashore, as
aboard a naval station.
ABREAST—Same as abeam.
AC C O M M O D AT I O N L A D D E R — A l a d d e r
suspended over and inclining down the side of a
ship to let people board the ship from boats.
ADRIFT—Loose from moorings and out of control.
Applied to anything that is lost, out of hand, or left
lying about.
AFT—Toward the stern. Not as specific as abaft.
AFTER—That furthest aft, as after fireroom.
AFTERNOON WATCH—The 1200 to 1600 watch.
AGROUND—When any part of a ship or boat is
resting on the bottom. A ship runs aground or goes
aground.
AHOY—A hail or demand for attention, as “Boat
ahoy.”
ALEE—In the direction toward which the wind is
blowing; downwind.
ALIVE—Lively, energetic.
ALL FAST—Tied or lashed down as necessary.
ALL HANDS—The entire ship’s company.
ALOFT—Generally speaking, any area above the
highest deck.
ALONGSIDE—By the side of the pier or ship.
AMIDSHIPS—An indefinite area midway between
the bow and stern. Rudder amidships means that
the rudder is in line with the ship’s centerline.
ANCHOR—(1) Any device used to make a floating
body fast to the bottom. (2) The act of so making
fast. (3) The act of securing or fixing the lower end
of a guy or stay or the lower end of a shore.
ANCHORAGE—An area designated to be used by
ships for anchoring.
ANCHOR BALL—A black circular shape hoisted to
indicate that the ship is anchored.
ANCHOR BUOY—A small float secured to the
anchor by a light line to mark the position of the
anchor.
ANCHOR CABLE—The line, wire, or chain that
attaches a vessel to its anchor.
ANCHOR WATCH—A group of persons available to
the OOD during the night for such duties as
heaving in or paying out the cable.
ARMAMENT—The weapons of a ship.
ARMORED DECK—A deck, below the main deck,
that provides added protection to vital spaces.
ASTERN—Directly behind a ship.
ATHWART—Across; at right angles to.
AUXILIARY—(1) Extra, or secondary, as auxiliary
engine. (2) A vessel whose mission is to supply or
support the combatant forces.
AVAST—Stop, as “Avast heaving.”
AYE AYE—Reply to a command or order, meaning “I
understand and will obey.”
AI-1
