abut

[ uh-buht ]

verb (used without object)

, a·but·ted, a·but·ting.

1. to be adjacent; touch or join at the edge or border (often followed by on, upon, or against ):

   This piece of land abuts on a street.

verb (used with object)

, a·but·ted, a·but·ting.

1. to be adjacent to; border on; end at.
2. to support by an abutment.

abut

/ əˈbʌt /

verb

1. usually foll byon, upon, or against to adjoin, touch, or border on (something) at one end

Other Words From

• una·butting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abut¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French, Old French abuter touch at one end, verbal derivative of a but to (the) end; a- ⁵, butt ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of abut¹

C15: from Old French abouter to join at the ends, border on; influenced by abuter to touch at an end, buttress

Example Sentences

There is some debate about how this will affect clinics that abut sidewalks or public streets.

From The Daily Beast

It was incredible technology that changed everything abut the way we communicate with each other.

From The Daily Beast

Where the strips abruptly meet others, or abut upon a boundary at right angles, they are sometimes called butts.

From Project Gutenberg

The hotels abut upon the actual sands, just as Arcachon abuts upon its shallow oyster-beds.

From Project Gutenberg

These veins have no side plates or wall stones, but abut without intermediate gangues at the primitive rock.

From Project Gutenberg

This was quite likely the first of the servants' quarters, and that east wall must abut directly against the chimney.

From Project Gutenberg

The street at this point is (or was) obviously supported upon a masonry substructure, upon which the houses abut.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjoin
• border on