abbreviate

American  

[uh-bree-vee-eyt] / əˈbri viˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

abbreviated, abbreviating

1. to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase, as ft. for foot, ab. for about, R.I. for Rhode Island, NW for Northwest, or Xn for Christian.

2. to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer.

   to abbreviate a speech.

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verb (used without object)

abbreviated, abbreviating

1. to use abbreviations.

abbreviate British  

/ əˈbriːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to shorten (a word or phrase) by contraction or omission of some letters or words

2. to shorten (a speech or piece of writing) by omitting sections, paraphrasing, etc

3. to cut short

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Related Words

See shorten.

Other Word Forms

• abbreviator noun

Etymology

Origin of abbreviate

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English abbreviaten, from Late Latin abbreviātus shortened (past participle of abbreviāre ), equivalent to Latin ad- ad- + breviātus ( brevi(s) “short“ + -ātus -ate ¹ )

Explanation

To abbreviate is to shorten. Words are often abbreviated, like when we say sked instead of schedule. Though we most often think about words being abbreviated — especially terms like OMG and LOL for "oh my God" and "laugh out loud" — lots of things can be abbreviated. You just have to shorten them. Sudden rain might abbreviate a baseball game. A bomb threat would abbreviate a school day. Anytime something is being shortened or cut, abbreviation is going on.

Example Sentences

The strands consist of almost endless rows of four small molecules that we abbreviate to A, C, G and T.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

“We can often abbreviate and accelerate what we can do in terms of training for Ukrainian army soldiers,” he told reporters Wednesday.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2023

Already, public health agencies, researchers and nonprofit organizations around the world have taken it upon themselves to abbreviate or shorten the controversial name.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2022

Meant to show strength and independence, Alzona’s sculptures abbreviate women’s bodies to such active parts as a torso or a pair of ankles and feet.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2022

“O for the P,” as Farmer would eventually abbreviate the term, was a simple concept.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• abridge
• compress