abbreviate

[ uh-bree-vee-eyt ]
/ əˈbri viˌeɪt /

verb (used with object), ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.

to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase, as ft. for foot, ab. for about, R.I. for Rhode Island, NW for Northwest, or Xn for Christian.
to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer: to abbreviate a speech.

verb (used without object), ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.

to use abbreviations.

Origin of abbreviate

1400–50; late Middle English abbreviaten < Late Latin abbreviātus shortened (past participle of abbreviāre), equivalent to Latin ad- ad- + breviātus ( brevi(s) short + -ātus -ate1)

OTHER WORDS FROM abbreviate

ab·bre·vi·a·tor, noun

Words nearby abbreviate

Example sentences from the Web for abbreviate

British Dictionary definitions for abbreviate

abbreviate
/ (əˈbriːvɪˌeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to shorten (a word or phrase) by contraction or omission of some letters or words
to shorten (a speech or piece of writing) by omitting sections, paraphrasing, etc
to cut short

Derived forms of abbreviate

abbreviator, noun

Word Origin for abbreviate

C15: from the past participle of Late Latin abbreviāre, from Latin brevis brief