abutted; abutting

transitive verb

1
: to border on : to touch along an edge
Their property abuts our land.
2
: to cause to touch or lean for support
abut a timber against a post

intransitive verb

1
: to touch along a border or with a projecting part
a parcel of land that abuts on the road
2
a
: to terminate at a point of contact
b
: to lean for support

Examples of abut in a Sentence

Their property and our property abut. our land abuts a nature preserve, so we see a lot of wildlife
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 360-mile-long sliver abutting the Arabian Sea is a bewildering jumble of people, places and cultures. Scott Hocker, theweek, 15 Apr. 2024 The plan called for knocking down a tree line, building underground gas tanks that would abut some backyards, and a new sewer line. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024 The glacier acts like plumbing for the massive ice sheet that abuts it, sending a flow of ice into the adjacent ocean. Eric Zerkel, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024 This marks the third resort offering from a homegrown group that has properties in Antalya, and comes with a partnership with Mykonos icon Scorpios, here set on a promontory abutting the property. Sarah Khan, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abut 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abutten, borrowed from Anglo-French abuter, from a-, verb-forming prefix (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + bout, but "push, thrust, blow, end, extremity," noun derivative from bouter, boter "to push, thrust, strike" — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abut was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abut

Cite this Entry

“Abut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abut. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

abut

verb
abutted; abutting
: to touch along a border or with a part that sticks out
abutter noun

Legal Definition

abut

verb
abutted; abutting

intransitive verb

: to touch along a border or with a projecting part
used with on, upon, or against
the land abuts on the road

transitive verb

: to border on : reach or touch with an end
two lots that abut each other

More from Merriam-Webster on abut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!