Abeam meaning

Abeam means sideways or at right angles to the fore and aft line of a ship or aircraft.


Abeam definitions

Word backwards maeba
Part of speech adverb
Syllabic division a-beam
Plural The plural of the word abeam is abeams.
Total letters 5
Vogais (2) a,e
Consonants (2) b,m

When talking about navigation and positioning on ships and aircraft, the term "abeam" holds significant importance. In this context, abeam refers to a position on the side of a ship or aircraft that is at right angles to the length of the vessel. This means that when an object is abeam, it is directly to the side of the ship or aircraft, perpendicular to the direction in which it is traveling. Abeam is used to describe the relative position of an object or location in relation to the vessel's course.

Understanding Abeam in Navigation

For ships, when an object or another vessel is said to be abeam, it is positioned directly at the side of the ship, 90 degrees to the bow or stern. This is a crucial navigational term used by sailors to communicate the position of objects, other vessels, or landmarks while at sea. Similarly, in aviation, abeam is used to describe a position parallel to the aircraft's lateral axis but not directly in front or behind it.

Visualizing Abeam Position

Imagine a ship sailing in a straight line. If there is an island directly to the right of the ship, it is said to be abeam to starboard. Conversely, if there is a lighthouse directly to the left of the ship, it is abeam to port. In aviation, if a landmark is visible through the side window of the aircraft, it is considered to be abeam the aircraft's position.

Abeam is not just a directional term but is also used in communication and navigation to relay precise information about the position of objects or entities in relation to the vessel or aircraft. Understanding and using this term correctly is essential for safe and effective navigation on water or in the air.


Abeam Examples

  1. The ship sailed abeam of the lighthouse.
  2. The airplane flew abeam of the mountains.
  3. The car drove abeam of the building.
  4. The student sat abeam of the teacher in class.
  5. The spacecraft orbited abeam of the space station.
  6. The hikers traveled abeam of the river.
  7. The cyclists rode abeam of the road construction.
  8. The runner jogged abeam of the park.
  9. The skiers glided abeam of the ski lodge.
  10. The train passed abeam of the platform.


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  • Updated 23/03/2024 - 20:15:58