abs

¹ American  

[abz] / æbz /

plural noun

Informal.

1. abdominal muscles.

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ABS ² American  

1. antilock braking system.

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abs- ³ American  

1. variant of ab-.

   absent; abscond.

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abs. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. absent.

2. absolute.

3. abstract.

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A.B.S. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. American Bible Society.

2. American Bureau of Shipping.

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ABS ¹ British  

abbreviation

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

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abs ² British  

/ æbz /

plural noun

1. informal abdominal muscles

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Etymology

Origin of abs

An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; by shortening

Example Sentences

Does it hurt?,’ ” said Colleen Ferguson, who owns EMS Body Atelier in Santa Barbara, Calif. Her “obsessed” converts tout toned glutes and abs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

At 61, he seems to have sprouted a new rung of abs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025

There is, especially this time of year, no shortage of attractive people with six-pack abs who will happily tell you the best way to improve your well-being.

From Slate • Jan. 1, 2025

I stretch my feet, calves, quads, abs, arms, neck, everything.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes