Word
abeam
UK/ɐbˈiːm/
Definition
adv. at a right angle to the direction you are facing. You use this when talking about the sides of a ship or plane.
adv. at a right angle to the direction of motion or the line of sight. Often used in nautical or aviation contexts to describe the lateral position of an object relative to a vessel.
Examples
“The lighthouse was abeam of the ship.”
“The pilot adjusted the aircraft so that the runway lights were abeam of the cockpit.”
“As the vessel approached the harbor, the crew noted that the buoy was abeam of the stern, indicating they were on the correct heading for the turning circle.”
Examples
simple
“The lighthouse was abeam of the ship.”
contextual
“The pilot adjusted the aircraft so that the runway lights were abeam of the cockpit.”
complex
“As the vessel approached the harbor, the crew noted that the buoy was abeam of the stern, indicating they were on the correct heading for the turning circle.”
Etymology
From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).
From a- + beam (“to emit beams of light”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/abeam