abreast

American  

[uh-brest] / əˈbrɛst /

adverb

1. side by side; beside each other in a line.

   They walked two abreast down the street.

2. equal to or alongside in progress, attainment, or awareness (usually followed by of orwith ).

   to keep abreast of scientific developments; keeping abreast with the times.

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abreast British  

/ əˈbrɛst /

adjective

1. alongside each other and facing in the same direction

2. up to date (with); fully conversant (with)

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Etymology

Origin of abreast

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

Example Sentences

At many companies there is a single person in charge of HR, which might mean that compliance alone—staying abreast of federal, state and local laws and regulations—consumes that person’s days.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kahn worked hard to keep him afloat and find new financial institutions, while Indyke kept Epstein abreast of the media fallout.

From The Wall Street Journal

The wooden inkpot was carved in the shape of a troika, which is a kind of Russian sleigh pulled by three horses harnessed abreast.

From Literature

“It was a continuous evolution to ensure that we were staying abreast of everything that was going on and everybody was maintaining a basic skill set,” says Neuman.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s very useful for staying abreast of any trends in the culinary world,” he said, and his routine proved to be pivotal in winning the $223,000 prize for “Culinary Class Wars.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquainted
• informed