abs

¹ American  

[abz] / æbz /

plural noun

Informal.

1. abdominal muscles.

---

ABS ² American  

1. antilock braking system.

---

abs- ³ American  

1. variant of ab-.

   absent; abscond.

---

abs. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. absent.

2. absolute.

3. abstract.

---

A.B.S. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. American Bible Society.

2. American Bureau of Shipping.

---

ABS ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene: any of a range of tough copolymers used esp for making moulded articles

---

abs ² British  

/ æbz /

plural noun

1. informal abdominal muscles

---

Etymology

Origin of abs

An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; by shortening

Example Sentences

The 30-second spot features a young man in a park attempting pull-ups, who asks a muscular bystander about achieving six-pack abs.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Today the artists... give them six-pack abs and muscles."

From Barron's

In addition to the physical changes, Kinsella said "it was a weird feeling" knowing she no longer had the same stomach power as before because of her abs separating.

From BBC

The growth in employment in December was driven by male employment, which rose by 49,000 people, while female employment recorded a smaller increase of 17,000 people, the ABS added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many people with ABS spend years without an accurate diagnosis.

From Science Daily