abaft

American  

[uh-baft, uh-bahft] / əˈbæft, əˈbɑft /

preposition

1. to the rear of; aft of.

   the fife rail abaft the mainmast.

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adverb

1. in the direction of the stern; astern; aft.

abaft British  

/ əˈbɑːft /

adverb

1. closer to the stern than to another place on a vessel

   with the wind abaft

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preposition

1. behind; aft of

   abaft the mast

Etymology

Origin of abaft

1225–75; Middle English on baft, abaft, equivalent to a- ¹ and on on + baft, Old English bæftan contraction of be + æftan. See by aft ¹

Explanation

Ahoy! Abaft is a word used on boats. If something is abaft, it’s towards the rear, or stern, of a boat. Abaft means "in the back." Though rarely heard on dry land, this old seafaring word refers to the rear end of a ship. Abaft can also refer to the back end of an airplane. Even if you’re not a sailor (or pilot), if you read Moby Dick or other stories of the sea, then you’ll need to know what abaft means. Think of the word after when you see that aft on the end.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abaft

A bench seat to port serves equally well for navigator or interested guests, but most guests will undoubtedly choose to relax at the dinette abaft the helm and opposite the wet bar.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tenders are carried in side garages on the upper deck abaft the pilothouse, and the top deck includes a glass-enclosed sky gym.

From Time Magazine Archive

There is a wet bar just abaft the companion seat, with Corian top, trash receptacle and a sink.

From Time Magazine Archive

The amidships cockpit has teak bench seats on each side, and the winches are bunched just forward and abaft the twin carbon fiber wheels.

From Time Magazine Archive

“And my gog! how could they be otherwise? Look at that one, the aftest abaft the bier-bank: read it!”

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker