abandonment

noun

aban·​don·​ment ə-ˈban-dən-mənt 

1

: the act of abandoning something or someone

In its family and social contexts, he argues, the abandonment of children was, if not a "good thing," at least the most feasible means of family limitation during the many centuries when other methods were largely ineffective or, in the case of Christians, prohibited.

—Mary Martin McLaughlin

2

: the state of being abandoned

fear of abandonment

The opulence of her life as an expat wife failed to soothe her feelings of abandonment, boredom and oppression.

—Bob Shacochis

—sometimes used before another noun

abandonment issues

Synonyms

• abandon
• naturalness

Examples of abandonment in a Sentence

sang at the top of her lungs with complete abandonment in the shower

the law says abandonment by the owner of any building for more than a year entitles the city to sell it

the park commissioner cited cost considerations as the main reason for the project's abandonment

Recent Examples on the Web

The parent author is a person whose actions are often not propelled by the self but the baby, a being whose influence on language seems to be one of frequent interruption or even abandonment. —Ellyn Gaydos august 11, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025

After decades of abandonment and decay, the historic complex of Rockville mills in the northern end of Vernon soon could be getting closer to restorations as part of a 214-unit apartment complex along with shops, a restaurant and small businesses. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025

Chalamet will play a former Motocross racer, haunted by a career-ending crash and a long history of abandonment in a broken family. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025

Hours after the baby’s abandonment, the sheriff’s office announced four people – later identified as the baby’s relatives – were found dead in Tiptonville. —Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing abandonment

• self-abandonment

Legal Definition

abandonment

noun

aban·​don·​ment

1

: the act of abandoning property or a right: as

a

: relinquishment by an inventor of the right to enforce a patent see also dedication

b

: an author's relinquishment to the public domain of his or her copyrighted work

c

: relinquishment of a trademark established by a failure to use the trademark and an intention never to resume use

d

: the act of an insured in surrendering all rights to damaged or lost property to an insurer as a total loss compare salvage sense 2b

e

: relinquishment by a trustee in bankruptcy of interest in property in the bankruptcy estate often for a nominal sum

2

: the act of abandoning a person: as

a

: failure to have contact with a spouse that is intended to create a permanent separation

b

: failure to communicate with or provide financial support for one's child over a period of time that shows a purpose to forgo parental duties and rights

3

: the act of abandoning a contract

4

a

: the act of abandoning a course of action (as a crime)

b

: the affirmative defense (as recognized under the Model Penal Code) of voluntary withdrawal from the commission of a crime resulting from the actor's change of heart and not from intervening circumstances