Abel

American

[ey-buhl, ah-buhl] / ˈeɪ bəl, ˈɑ bəl /

noun

(in the Bible) the second son of Adam and Eve, slain by his brother, Cain.
Sir Frederick Augustus, 1827–1902, English chemist: inventor of cordite.
I. W., 1908–87, U.S. labor leader: president of the United Steelworkers of America 1965–77.
Niels Henrik 1802–29, Norwegian mathematician.
a first name.

Abel British

/ ˈeɪbəl /

noun

Old Testament the second son of Adam and Eve, a shepherd, murdered by his brother Cain (Genesis 4:1–8)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Buffett was succeeded by Abel as CEO at the end of 2025.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Buffett said the calls usually go to Abel but he wishes he got more—in part because it would take Buffett “five seconds to say no.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Abel issued a statement after Kraft Heinz announced the split’s pause in February, saying he supported the move.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

At Berkshire’s headquarters, Abel reiterated their concerns: Kraft Heinz had plenty of problems, but breaking up the company wouldn’t solve them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Abel gave lectures at schools, recounting his experiences in America and encouraging bright young men and women to consider a life of espionage.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023