1 aban·don
Pronounced:
/əˈbændən/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
aban·dons; aban·doned; aban·don·ingMeaning:
[+ obj] 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. b : to leave and never return to (something) ▪ abandon property ▪ They abandoned the car on a back road. ▪ That house was abandoned years ago.
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. ◊If you abandon ship, you leave a boat or ship that is sinking. ▪ The captain gave the order to abandon ship. 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]
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.
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.
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. ◊If you abandon ship, you leave a boat or ship that is sinking. ▪ The captain gave the order to abandon ship. 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]
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.
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.
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]
—aban·don·ment /əˈbændənmənt/ noun [noncount] ▪ the abandonment of a child/home
/əˈbændənmənt/ noun [noncount] ▪ the abandonment of a child/home