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abeam

American  
[uh-beem] / əˈbim /

adverb

  1. Nautical, Aeronautics. at right angles to the fore-and-aft line.

    The vessel was sailing with the wind directly abeam.

  2. directly abreast the middle of a ship's side.


abeam British  
/ əˈbiːm /

adverb

  1. (postpositive) at right angles to the length and directly opposite the centre of a vessel or aircraft

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of abeam

First recorded in 1830–40; a- 1 + beam

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She could have taken the blow of a colliding ship on bow, quarter or abeam and remained afloat, or even made her way to port.

From Scientific American • Apr. 11, 2012

When I come to a stop, we're abeam each other, about 3 feet apart.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2010

His face abeam, Trade Minister George Hees told newsmen: "You can't do business with better businessmen anywhere."

From Time Magazine Archive

The Colorado, or " Battleship No. 45," is a 32,600-ton ship, 624 feet long and 97 feet abeam, and draws 31 1/2 feet of water.

From Time Magazine Archive

England and the Kingdom, Britain and the Empire, the old prides and the old devotions, glide abeam, astern, sink down upon the horizon, pass - pass.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall