abreast
Americanadverb
-
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 orwith ).
to keep abreast of scientific developments; keeping abreast with the times.
adjective
-
alongside each other and facing in the same direction
-
up to date (with); fully conversant (with)
Etymology
Origin of abreast
Explanation
There's nothing worse than being stuck on a narrow path behind two people walking abreast of one another. If they only knew you were there, they'd walk single file so you could pass them. Abreast means side by side. In a marathon, you watch the frontrunners, but it's also important to pay attention to who is coming up the side and abreast of the leader. They are the most likely to find it within themselves to sprint forward for the win. Abreast can also mean "informed or up-to-date." If you're a big fan of comics, you probably keep abreast of all the latest publications and conventions.
Vocabulary lists containing abreast
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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Dracula
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"Mending Wall," by Robert Frost
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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.
As part of the company’s initiative to grow revenue and stay abreast of competition, the Wall Street Journal reported last month that OpenAI is shelving “side quests” to focus on core enterprise and productivity tools.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
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 • Dec. 12, 2025
The staffing shortages have forced some offices to outsource overnight operations to neighboring offices or reduce how often they issue forecast products that help keep decision-makers and first responders abreast of potentially hazardous weather conditions.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025
Inslee is not, he told me, against staying abreast of public opinion per se.
From Slate • Jul. 10, 2025
The shouting men came abreast of where we were standing.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
