abaft

1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈbaft 

: toward or at the stern : aft

abaft

2 of 2

preposition

: to the rear of

specifically : toward the stern from

Synonyms

Adverb

• aft
• astern
• sternward
• sternwards

Preposition

• back of
• behind

Examples of abaft in a Sentence

Adverb

the lookout in the crow's nest warned that there was an enemy frigate abaft and bearing down hard on their ship

Preposition

a school of porpoises swam abaft the fishing boat

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from a- + baft in the rear, from Old English bæftan, from be- + æftan behind — more at aft

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

abaft

1 of 2 adverb

ə-ˈbaft

: toward the stern : at the stern

abaft

2 of 2 preposition

: to the rear of

especially : toward the stern from