Definition Definition

abandon - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'abandon' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Abandon [ n.]
- A complete giving up to natural impulses; freedom from artificial constraint; careless freedom or ease.
2 . Abandon [ v.]
- Abandonment; relinquishment.
3 . Abandon [ v. t.]
- To cast or drive out; to banish; to expel; to reject.
- To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely ; to renounce utterly; to relinquish all connection with or concern on; to desert, as a person to whom one owes allegiance or fidelity; to quit; to surrender.
- Reflexively: To give (one's self) up without attempt at self-control; to yield (one's self) unrestrainedly; -- often in a bad sense.
- To relinquish all claim to; -- used when an insured person gives up to underwriters all claim to the property covered by a policy, which may remain after loss or damage by a peril insured against.

Meaning of 'abandon' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . abandon [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the trait of lacking restraint or control; reckless freedom from inhibition or worry
Example in sentence:
  • she danced with abandon
Meaning (2):
- a feeling of extreme emotional intensity
Example in sentence:
  • the wildness of his anger
3 . abandon [ v]
Meaning (3):
- give up with the intent of never claiming again
Example in sentence:
  • Abandon your life to God;
  • She gave up her children to her ex-husband when she moved to Tahiti;
  • We gave the drowning victim up for dead
Meaning (4):
- stop maintaining or insisting on; of ideas or claims
Example in sentence:
  • Both sides have to give up some claims in these negotiations;
  • He abandoned the thought of asking for her hand in marriage
Meaning (5):
- leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
Example in sentence:
  • The mother deserted her children
Meaning (6):
- forsake, leave behind
Example in sentence:
  • We abandoned the old car in the empty parking lot
Meaning (7):
- leave behind empty; move out of
Example in sentence:
  • You must vacate your office by tonight