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 of abreast

• acquainted
• informed
• aware
• familiar
• up

Examples of abreast in a Sentence

keeping abreast of the latest fashion trends

Recent Examples on the Web

Luckily, my job as a fashion writer keeps me abreast on the best swimwear brands to shop, like Gooseberry Intimates. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 30 May 2026

Stop waiting on your employer to keep you abreast of what’s going on in your industry. — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026

Bin Sulayem also often kept Epstein abreast of sensitive meetings between the United Arab Emirates and heads of other countries, like Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev of Russia. — Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Murphy, a back-to-back winner of the NL Manager of the Year award in his first two seasons, leans on Yelich to keep him abreast of goings on in the clubhouse. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for abreast

• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed
• celeste

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