Abeam

Lying on a line perpendicular to the vessel's centerline — directly off her side.

Test your knowledge

Know your nautical terms? Play the free SkipperCheck daily maritime quiz — COLREGs, navigation, VHF radio, seamanship. Earn points, climb the global leaderboard.

Play the Daily Quiz →

Related A-terms

Aboard

On, onto, or inside the vessel.

Asymmetric spinnaker

A downwind sail (also called a cruising chute or gennaker) with a fixed tack but no pole, …

Astern

In the water behind the vessel, or moving backwards.

Aback

A sail that has been trimmed so the wind pushes against the reverse side of the cloth, fil…

Amidships

At or toward the middle of the vessel, whether fore-and-aft or athwartships.

Athwartships

Running across the vessel from one side to the other, at right angles to the fore-and-aft …

← Back to full glossary