mid-15c., a contraction of on brest "side-by-side," from a- (1) + breast (n.); the notion is of "with breasts in line." To keep abreast in figurative sense of "stay up-to-date [..]

Something alongside of the ship, usually referring to another ship or to the dock.

(adj) being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge(adv) alongside each other, facing in the same direction

Side by side, the breasts being all in a line.

Side by side; by the side of.

The situation of two or more ships lying with their sides parallel, and their heads equally advanced; in which case they are abreast of each other. Abreast of any place, means off or directly opposite [..]

Side by side; by the side of.

To boats or ships that are side by side. Acclimate

Abeam of (alongside of).

Side by side; by the side of.

Abeam of (alongside of).

  Meaning along side the beam of a ship. Now a common expression, "keeping abreast of a situation" means staying in touch with or keeping up with. 

Alongside of; on the beam.

abeam of; directly alongside.

Off the side, even with the boat

side by side, even with, or by the side. This can refer to two or more vessels or other objects

Alongside of; on the beam.

Side by side; by the side of.

Synonymous with "Abeam." Side by side. To Breast.-- To come abreast.

Side by side, facing forward. First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)SOED5|page=8 (figurative) Alongside; parallel to. First attested in the mid 17^th century.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

lang=en 1800s=1851 * '''1851''' — . ''''. *: I considered the matter a moment, and then up stairs we went, and I was ushered into a small room, cold as a clam, and furnished, sure enough, with a pr [..]

side by side; abeam of