Abandon Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary abandon 4 ENTRIES FOUND:

• abandon (verb)
• abandon (noun)
• abandoned (adjective)
• ship (noun)

1 abandon /əˈbændən/ verb abandons; abandoned; abandoning 1 abandon /əˈbændən/ verb abandons; abandoned; abandoning Britannica Dictionary definition of ABANDON [+ object] 1 a : to leave and never return to (someone who needs protection or help)

• The child had been abandoned (by his parents) as an infant.
• He abandoned his family.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : to leave and never return to (something)

• abandon property
• They abandoned the car on a back road.
• That house was abandoned years ago.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to leave (a place) because of danger

• The approaching fire forced hundreds of people to abandon their homes.
• The officer refused to abandon his post.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ If you abandon ship, you leave a boat or ship that is sinking.

• The captain gave the order to abandon ship.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ This phrase is sometimes used figuratively.

• The company is doing poorly, and many investors have decided to abandon ship. [=to sell their stock in the company]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 : to stop supporting or helping (someone or something)

• The policy abandons the most vulnerable members of society.
• She abandoned the party not long after the election.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 : to stop doing or having (something) : to give up (something) completely

• We abandoned hope of ever going back.
• He abandoned the principles that he once fought hard to defend.
• She had to abandon her plans for a vacation.
• Play was abandoned because of the bad weather.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

abandon yourself to

literary : to allow yourself to be fully controlled or affected by (something, such as a strong emotion)

• He abandoned himself to despair. [=he was overcome by despair]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

— abandonment

/əˈbændənmənt/ noun [noncount]

• the abandonment of a child/home

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 abandon noun 2 abandon noun Britannica Dictionary definition of ABANDON [noncount] : a feeling or attitude of wild or complete freedom

• They all danced with (wild) abandon.
• She decided with reckless abandon [=in a very wild and reckless way] to quit her job and move to Tahiti.

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