abaft
Americanpreposition
adverb
adverb
preposition
Etymology
Origin of abaft
1225–75; Middle English on baft, abaft, equivalent to a- 1 and on on + baft, Old English bæftan contraction of be + æftan. See by aft 1
Explanation
Ahoy! Abaft is a word used on boats. If something is abaft, it’s towards the rear, or stern, of a boat. Abaft means "in the back." Though rarely heard on dry land, this old seafaring word refers to the rear end of a ship. Abaft can also refer to the back end of an airplane. Even if you’re not a sailor (or pilot), if you read Moby Dick or other stories of the sea, then you’ll need to know what abaft means. Think of the word after when you see that aft on the end.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is a wet bar just abaft the companion seat, with Corian top, trash receptacle and a sink.
From Time Magazine Archive
The mainsheet is under the deck, with a two-part adjustment just abaft the helm, and all the winch-control buttons are recessed flush with removable chafe pads.
From Time Magazine Archive
On deck you'll find seating ahead of the console, and room enough for a fighting chair abaft the helm seats.
From Time Magazine Archive
A cedar-lined hanging locker for your Dude Duds and gold Fountain bling is to starboard, just abaft this area.
From Time Magazine Archive
With a fair wind abaft the beam, the ship could have logged a hundred and fifty miles in a day’s sailing.
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
