ab

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈab

: an abdominal muscle

—usually used in plural

2 of 6

noun (2)

ˈäb

ˈäv

ˈȯv

: the 11th month of the civil year or the 5th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar see Months of the Principal Calendars Table

4 of 6

noun (3)

ˈā-ˈbē

: the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letters A and B and by the absence of antibodies against these antigens

5 of 6

abbreviation (2)

able seaman; able-bodied seaman

abort; abortion

airborne

airman basic

Alberta

[New Latin artium baccalaureus] bachelor of arts

ab-

6 of 6

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In some of the shots, the singer and actress got busy showing off her super-sculpted abs (and a bit of underboob) in a strappy bra. —

Emily Shiffer, Women's Health, 12 May 2023 Fight to keep your hips level, squeezing your abs and glutes. —

Brett Williams, Men's Health, 28 Apr. 2023 Expert tips: This classic ab move targets the obliques. —

Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2023 There's a little moment in last night's episode when Matsson takes off his jacket, revealing a glimpse of his abs and hip flexors. —

Izzy Grinspan, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Apr. 2023 Brace your abs and slightly tuck your pelvis forward. —

Mallory Creveling, Health, 23 Feb. 2023 Seesaw Overhead Press Philip Friedman Hold dumbbells at your shoulders, abs and glutes tight. —

Eric Sung, Men's Health, 10 May 2023 And in one snap, Bebe is rocking a swimsuit with a deep V plunge—and wow, her abs are insanely toned! —

Korin Miller, Women's Health, 9 May 2023 Patrick responded with a tweet of his own by defending his property tax relief plan, but conceding Phelan has better abs. —

Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas News, 29 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ab.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Hebrew Ābh

Prefix

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin ab-, abs-, a-, from ab, a — more at of

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1956, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ab was circa 1771

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ab. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ab-

prefix

: from : away : departing from

abnormal

Etymology

Prefix

Latin ab- "from, away"

Medical Definition

1 of 4 noun

ˈab

: abdominal

—usually used in plural

highly developed abs

ab exercises

2 of 4 abbreviation

or AB abort; abortion

about

3 of 4 noun

ˈā-ˈbē

: the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letters A and B and by the absence of antibodies against these antigens

4 of 4 abbreviation

aid to blind