Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

abeam

/əˈbim/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.75 in modern English

Syllables: abeam
IPA: /əˈbim/

9

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 90° or 270° relative.

adv

Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft.

adj

Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft.

prep

adj

Beaming, shining (especially with reference to a person's face or eyes).

Example Sentences

"We were heading S.S.W., and had a steady breeze abeam and a quiet sea."
"[…] waves striking the ship abeam pushed her always south of their new course, and rolled her, and filled her with water so that bailing must be ceaseless […]"
"The island was directly abeam of us."
"The sound shifted its place markedly, but without coming nearer. It even grew a little more distant right abeam of the lighter, and then ceased again."
"The attack on the abeam ship, Louisville, killed Commander Cruiser Division Four […]"
"She came abeam the crippled ship."

Etymology

Etymology tree English a- Proto-Germanic *bagmaz? Proto-West Germanic *baum Old English bēam Middle English bem English beam English abeam From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /əˈbim/
British English: /əˈbiːm/

Inflected Forms

more abeam (comparative) most abeam (superlative)

Frequently Paired Words

athwartships

Rhymes With

team a team seem dream prime supreme cream stream on stream extreme scheme steam

Questions

How do you pronounce abeam?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈbim/.
What does abeam mean?: On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 90° or 270° relative.
Where does abeam come from?: Etymology tree English a- Proto-Germanic *bagmaz? Proto-West Germanic *baum Old English bēam Middle English bem English beam English abeam From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).

How to pronounce abeam

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “abeam”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈbim/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “abeam”.
Repeat and practice — Say “abeam” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.