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

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

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

The quest for brick-like abs has become serious business - even if you're still only in Year 8 - with posts on socials with hashtags like #shreddedphysique being viewed more than four billion times.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2025

They work your back, shoulders, abs and lower body, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • 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

He said fasting messed up his carefully balanced diet of simply grilled chicken breasts and staring at his abs in the mirror.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi