abreast

adverb or adjective

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

Examples of abreast in a Sentence

keeping abreast of the latest fashion trends
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those communities offering memory care are doing a good job of staying abreast of incremental discoveries about how to offer the best environment for those who have been diagnosed with this condition. 7. Sara Zeff Geber, Phd, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for abreast 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abreast was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near abreast

Cite this Entry

“Abreast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abreast. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

abreast

adverb or adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on abreast

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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