Wondering about the definition of abeam? Keep reading to learn the meaning of abeam, see some examples, and get a better understanding of this nautical and flight-related term!
What Does Abeam Mean?
Abeam is a directional term, used on ships and aircraft, which describes something off to the side of the vessel, such as the wings, though usually at a right angle to the vessel’s length.
See also: aft definition, fore definition, starboard definition, and port definition.
More on Abeam
Abeam is both a nautical term and a flight term, meaning, in layman’s terms, to be alongside or abreast of something, but usually at a right angle 90° or 270°. The word “beam” on a ship means its widest point, usually the middle, so “abeam” gets its meaning by being off a ship’s widest point, which is to say to the side.
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