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.
Dozens of picnic tables are spread across a multi-acre garden surrounded by vegetable and flower beds abutting farm fields and meadows. Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2025 Mayan stelae and Melanesian slit gongs share the sunlight from a sloped glass wall abutting Central Park which has been specially reëngineered to protect photosensitive works. Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 The nearest properties abutting the project are 124 feet away from its development site, making any potential fires threatening to local property and safety, according to officials. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025 The Lodge abuts Snoqualmie Falls Park, which houses observation viewing areas for both the upper and lower falls, forested nature trails, a kayak and canoe launch, a coffee and gift shop, and a Hydroelectric Museum within its 12 leafy acres. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Abut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abut. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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

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