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

On deck you'll find seating ahead of the console, and room enough for a fighting chair abaft the helm seats.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Even as I looked several long red flashes spurted forward and abaft the funnel, and as I raced back to the cabin the passageway behind me heaved and filled with smoke.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was not a sail on the horizon, or a storm cloud in the sky; just a fair wind abaft the beam and the Astrea reaching for the Cape.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham