abolition

noun

ab·​o·​li·​tion ˌa-bə-ˈli-shᵊn 

1

: the act of officially ending or stopping something : the act of abolishing something

abolition of the death penalty

2

: the act of officially ending slavery

a proponent of abolition

abolitionary

ˌa-bə-ˈli-shə-ˌner-ē 

-ˌne-rē

adjective

Synonyms

• repeal
• dissolution
• cancelation
• abolishment

Examples of abolition in a Sentence

the abolition of a law

calls for the abolition of the death penalty

Recent Examples on the Web

Angela Davis, the legendary activist, scholar and author known for her decades of work in racial justice, prison abolition and Black feminist thought, will deliver the keynote address at Get Free: A Black Feminist Reunion, taking place New Orleans right now. —Oumou Fofana, Essence, 6 June 2025

The bill, advanced near the end of the legislative session, prevents the immediate abolition of the lottery and subjects its operations to close review for the next two years. —James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025

Yet, whaling’s role in funding abolition and providing economic opportunities for free Black Americans is undeniable. —Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025

With the abolition of tariffs, Lady Liberty and Mount Rushmore could be smiling upon America and the world. —Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French abolition, borrowed from Latin abolitiōn-, abolitiō, from aboli-, variant stem of abolēre "to abolish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for abolition

• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition
• deposition

Kids Definition

abolition

noun

ab·​o·​li·​tion ˌab-ə-ˈlish-ən 

1

: the act of officially ending or stopping something : the act of abolishing

2

: the abolishing of slavery

abolitionary

-ˈlish-ə-ˌner-ē 

adjective