verb
Uncommon
abort
uh-BAWT
Abort (verb) means to stop an action, plan, or process before it is finished, usually because of a problem. Example: “The pilot had to abort the landing due to high winds.”
verb
1
To stop an action, plan, or process before it is finished, usually because of a problem.
"The pilot had to abort the landing due to high winds."
"The developers aborted the update after users reported crashes."
2
(medical) To end a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb.
"The clinic provides counseling for patients considering whether to abort a pregnancy."
How to use abort
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop something partway through, before it's completed — often because something has gone wrong.
Common pairings
abort a mission
abort the launch
abort the process
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Word forms
- Plural
- aborts
- Third person singular
- aborts
- Past tense
- aborted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pilot had to _____ the landing due to high winds.
Etymology
From Latin abortus, past participle of aboriri, "to fail to be born," from ab- ("away, amiss") + oriri ("to arise, be born").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “abort” mean?
The word “abort” means to stop an action, plan, or process before it is finished, usually because of a problem. In plain terms, to stop something partway through, before it's completed — often because something has gone wrong.
How do you pronounce “abort”?
“Abort” is pronounced uh-BAWT (/əˈbɔɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “abort” in a sentence?
Here is “abort” used in a sentence: “The pilot had to abort the landing due to high winds.”
What part of speech is “abort”?
“Abort” is a verb.
Where does the word “abort” come from?
The word “abort” comes from Latin. From Latin abortus, past participle of aboriri, "to fail to be born," from ab- ("away, amiss") + oriri ("to arise, be born").
Is “abort” a common word?
“Abort” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “abort” have?
“Abort” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop an action, plan, or process before it is finished, usually because of a problem.
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