Abreast Definition

ə-brĕst
adverb
Side by side.
Ships docked two abreast.
American Heritage
Side by side, as in going or facing forward.
Webster's New World
Up to date.
Keeping abreast of the latest developments.
American Heritage
Informed (of) or conversant (with) recent developments.
Webster's New World
Side by side, facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
adjective
Side by side, facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]
Wiktionary
(figuratively) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]
Wiktionary
Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]
Wiktionary

Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]

Wiktionary

(nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17th century.]

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
preposition
Abreast of; alongside.
This ship sank abreast the island.
Wiktionary

Origin of Abreast

  • From Middle English a (“on”) + brest (“breast”), in sense “breasts (chests) in line, side-by-side and exactly equally advanced”; roughly “breast-by-breast”.

    From Wiktionary

Abreast Sentence Examples

  • He insisted on being kept abreast of the news.

  • The three of them walked abreast along a narrow road consisting of no more than two bare strips of dirt in the grass.

  • In education the Catholic Church endeavours to keep abreast with the best.

  • Then the clang of hoofs, as of several horses galloping, resounded on the planks of the bridge, and the squadron, officers in front and men four abreast, spread across the bridge and began to emerge on his side of it.

  • Schelling, already on the way to fame, kept Hegel abreast with German speculation.

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Find Similar Words

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Words Starting With

AABABR

Words Ending With

TSTAST

Unscrambles

abreast

Words Starting With A and Ending With T

Starts With A & Ends With TStarts With AB & Ends With TStarts With A & Ends With ST

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With A7 Letter Words Ending With T