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 site became overcrowded and used controversial treatments such as electroshock and insulin coma therapy, according to local reports, and since its abandonment, many visitors report paranormal activity in the former ward buildings. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025

As Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly pushes him out of a taxi in the rain, the abandonment hits hard — a metaphor for her inability to commit or care. —Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

Assa Diawara, 30, was taken into custody early Wednesday in Queens on charges of abandonment of a child and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the New York Police Department. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025

In the video, Willow's owner leaves the room for just a few minutes to take the trash out—and a pet camera set up in the room captures the pup's reaction to this very brief abandonment. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 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