I. əˈ- adverb (or adjective)
Etymology: Middle English abrest, from a- (I) + brest breast
1.
a. : beside one another with bodies in line
four cars standing abreast so as to block the street
with seats two abreast on each side of the aisle
b. nautical : in or to a position with the bearing of another object 90 degrees from the bow : directly abeam
abreast of the tip of the island
2. : up to or equal to a particular standard or level (as of performance or development)
kept wages abreast of the rising living costs
: in a condition of acquaintance with events or developments in a particular field : up-to-date
the researcher keeps abreast with related work in his field
II. preposition
nautical : abreast of
lying abreast the island