First Known Use: 1540
Dictionary
1abort
verb \ə-ˈbȯrt\
: to end a pregnancy deliberately by causing the death of the fetus
: to stop something before it is completed because of problems or danger
Full Definition of ABORT
intransitive verb
1
: to bring forth stillborn, nonviable, or premature offspring
2
: to become checked in development so as to degenerate or remain rudimentary
3
: to terminate a procedure prematurely <the pilot decided to abort due to mechanical difficulties>
transitive verb
1
a : to induce the abortion of or give birth to prematurely b : to terminate the pregnancy of before term
2
a : to terminate prematurely : cancel <abort a project> <abort a spaceflight> b : to stop in the early stages <abort a disease>
— abort·er noun
See abort defined for English-language learners
See abort defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ABORT
Latin abortus, past participle of aboriri to miscarry, from ab- + oriri to rise, be born — more at orient
Related to ABORT
Rhymes with ABORT
airport, amort, aport, assort, athwart, backcourt, bellwort, birthwort, bistort, blood sport, Bridgeport, carport, cavort, cohort, colewort, comport, consort, contort, crosscourt, deport, disport, distort, downcourt, effort, escort, exhort, export, extort, fall short, figwort, forecourt, for short, free port, frontcourt, glasswort, Gosport, Gulfport, half-court, homeport, home port, in short, jetport, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, Newport, outport, passport, presort, purport, ragwort, report, re-sort, resort, retort, sandwort, seaport, sell short, Shreveport, spaceport, spearwort, spoilsport, Stockport, support, toothwort, transport
2abort
noun
Definition of ABORT
: the premature termination of a flight (as of an aircraft or spacecraft), a mission, or an action or procedure relating to a flight <a launch abort>
First Known Use of ABORT
1944
Medical Dictionary
abort
intransitive verb \ə-ˈbȯ(ə)rt\
Medical Definition of ABORT
: to bring forth premature or stillborn offspring <the patient aborted spontaneously>—compare miscarry
transitive verb
1
a : to induce the abortion of or give birth to prematurely b : to terminate the pregnancy of before term
2
: to stop in the early stages <abort a disease>
—abort·er noun
Learn More About ABORT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: abortifacientPrevious Word in the Dictionary: aborning All Words Near: abort
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up abort? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).