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

Life Time worked closely with local, state and federal personnel to keep abreast of the evolving fire situation and for guidance on how best to adapt. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026

CEOs will need to build flexibility through a mix of long-term contracts, diverse power sources, and backup capacity, while working with local jurisdictions to help shape and keep abreast of policy direction. — Yasushi Sasaki, Fortune, 30 July 2026

That, it should be pointed out, is still the case at the time of writing, despite news that Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal are staying abreast of his situation. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Mathewson noted that merely keeping abreast of the latest developments is no substitute for working with them directly. — Forbes.com, 2 July 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