Abeam

/əˈbiːm/ · adverb

Meaning

(nautical, aircraft) On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 90° or 270° relative..

Definitions by Sense

1. (nautical, aircraft) On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 90° or 270° relative.
2. (nautical, aircraft) Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft.
3. (nautical) Alongside.
4. Beaming, shining (especially with reference to a person's face or eyes).

Example Sentences

We were heading S.S.W., and had a steady breeze abeam and a quiet sea.

[…] waves striking the ship abeam pushed her always south of their new course, and rolled her, and filled her with water so that bailing must be ceaseless […]

The island was directly abeam of us.

The sound shifted its place markedly, but without coming nearer. It even grew a little more distant right abeam of the lighter, and then ceased again.

The attack on the abeam ship, Louisville, killed Commander Cruiser Division Four […]

She came abeam the crippled ship.

1876, William Davidson, Sermons on the Parables, Cincinnati: Western Tract Society, Sermon 1, p. 41, […] the hearts of the saints [will] be all attention and their faces all abeam for the consolation;

[…] the waiters fly about abeam with good will and on excellent terms with those they serve […]

Synonyms for abeam

Antonyms for abeam

Related Words

Word Forms

• more abeam
• most abeam

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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