| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| aft | (Or after.) Near, toward or at the stern of a ship. |
| after cabin | In a ship with multiple cabins, the cabin closest to the stern. |
| aftermast | In a sailing ship carrying multiple masts, the mast set closest to the stern. Also called the mizzenmast in a three-masted sailing vessel. |
| aftermost | The farthest aft. |
| shaft | A cylinder used to carry rotating machine parts, such as pulleys and gears, to transmit power or motion. |
| shaft log | A heavy longitudinal timber placed over the keel in a ship's stern through which the propeller shaft passes. |