NYT Dictionary

ABEAM

/əˈbim/

AdverbAdjectivePrepositionA-beama-beam · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026

Meaning

On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 90° or 270° relative.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree English a- Proto-Germanic *bagmaz? Proto-West Germanic *baum Old English bēam Middle English bem English beam English abeam From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

abreastalongbesideby

NYT Puzzle Appearances

No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.