abreast

[ uh-brest ]

/ əˈbrɛst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abreast ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb, adjective

side by side; beside each other in a line: They walked two abreast down the street.

equal to or alongside in progress, attainment, or awareness (usually followed by of or with): to keep abreast of scientific developments; keeping abreast with the times.

Nearby words

abrasiveness, abraxas, abrazo, abreact, abreaction, abreast, abri, abridge, abridged, abridgment, abrin

Origin of abreast

First recorded in 1590–1600; a-¹ + breast

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abreast

Curious housewives stepped out in their aprons to watch them march down the road, four abreast waving two large American flags.
The GOP’s Last Identity Crisis Remade U.S. Politics|Michael Wolraich|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Social media has kept me abreast of many plot twists and turns as firestorms of outrage and smugness come and go.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat|Steven Isaac|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Paramilitary troops in grey urban camouflage moved into the square, five abreast, forcing demonstrators into side-streets.
As Putin Wins Re-Election by Landslide, Both Sides Reluctantly Rally|Owen Matthews, Anna Nemtsova|March 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
We will keep you abreast of these developments and let you know once the RSS feed is live.
Note to Readers|David Frum|January 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Drivers were jostling three abreast on the tight oval track, and then a couple of cars collided.
IndyCar Driver’s Final Moments|Allen St. John|October 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The heavy guns were drawn by six or eight horses, two abreast, with a rider for every two horses.
The Fight for the Argonne|William Benjamin West
Her former companion got beside Lady Emily, and as they could not well walk four abreast, she fell behind with him.
David Elginbrod|George MacDonald
It is built of stone and earth, and is so broad that four horses can be driven on it abreast.
Highroads of Geography|Anonymous
I encountered one column of disarmed Germans marching four abreast with the typical attitude of a "Kamerad" procession.
"And they thought we wouldn't fight"|Floyd Gibbons
The police, marching four abreast, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly dividing into two columns marched on.
Ireland Under Coercion (2nd ed.) (2 of 2) (1888)|William Henry Hurlbert

British Dictionary definitions for abreast

abreast

/ (əˈbrɛst) /

adjective (postpositive)

alongside each other and facing in the same direction

(foll by of or with) up to date (with); fully conversant (with)

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

abreast

adverb, adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of abreast

Examples from the Web for abreast

British Dictionary definitions for abreast

abreast

adjective (postpositive)