abreast

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrest 

1

: beside one another in line

columns of men five abreast

with seats two abreast on each side of the aisle

They drew abreast of [=alongside of] each other.

2

: up to a particular standard or level especially of knowledge of recent developments

tries to keep abreast of [=to stay informed about] the news

Synonyms

• acquainted
• au courant
• conversant
• familiar
• informed
• knowledgeable
• up
• up-to-date
• versed
• well-informed

Examples of abreast in a Sentence

keeping abreast of the latest fashion trends

Recent Examples on the Web

Establish ongoing communication with your customers to keep abreast of their evolving requirements. —Ayesha Mahmood, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Just keeping yourself abreast of what’s going on in the rest of the world, especially down here at the southern border, which is the foundation of all the rest of the problems that the country sees as far as immigration and the influx of drugs. —Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Dec. 2024

Visit this link to stay abreast of knowledge and data related to the UK. —Francois Botha, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Beyond the basics, Young combs through reader feedback to stay abreast of new trends and tricks. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abrest, from a- a- entry 1 + brest breast entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing abreast

• abreast of
• keep abreast of

Kids Definition

abreast

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrest 

1

: side by side with bodies in line

lined up three abreast

2

: up to a standard or level especially of knowledge

keep abreast of the times