abut

verb

ə-ˈbət How to pronounce abut (audio)
abutted; abutting
Synonyms of abut

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

Synonyms of abut

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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.
Ahmad grew up in Kashmir, a region in India’s northwest abutting the Himalayas, replete with vast valleys, glassy mountain lakes, and purple iris and cyan forget-me-nots. — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 What neighbors say The sites for the four Continental applications abut higher-density development on Galloway Road, which is lined with both commercial and residential buildings, and sit just east of the Baptist Health campus on Kendall Drive. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Once upon a time, Gurnee officials hankered for a passenger station close to Viking Park, which abuts the Canadian Pacific line the freight hauler shares with Amtrak trains. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 The edge of meadows or fields containing goldenrod and abutting heavier cover is especially productive, so long as there is some protective canopy. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for abut

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Browse Nearby Words

abusus non tollit usum
abut
Abuta
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abut. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

abut

verb
ə-ˈbət How to pronounce abut (audio)
abutted; abutting
: to touch along a border or with a part that sticks out
abutter noun

Legal Definition

abut

verb
ə-ˈbət How to pronounce abut (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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