Simple Definition of abort
: 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
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>
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>
Examples of abort in a sentence
They decided to abort the pregnancy.
abort the launch of a rocket
I suggest that you abort the project.
The mission had to be aborted.
When problems occurred during the launch, it was necessary to abort.
Origin and Etymology of abort
Latin abortus, past participle of aboriri to miscarry, from ab- + oriri to rise, be born — more at orient
First Known Use: 1540
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
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
Medical Definition of abort
Legal Definition of abort
: to induce the expulsion of (a human fetus)
Seen and Heard
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