The meaning of ABBREVIATE is to make briefer; especially : to reduce (a word or name) to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole. How to use abbreviate in a sentence. ABBREVIATE definition: 1.

Understanding the Context

to make a word or phrase shorter by using only the first letters of each word: 2. to make aโ€ฆ. Learn more. abbreviate (third-person singular simple present abbreviates, present participle abbreviating, simple past and past participle abbreviated) (obsolete, transitive) To shorten by omitting parts or details.

Key Insights

If you abbreviate something, especially a word or a piece of writing, you make it shorter. He abbreviated his first name to Alec. [VERB noun + to] Definition of abbreviate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. To abbreviate is to shorten.

Final Thoughts

Words are often abbreviated, like when we say sked instead of schedule. to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer: to abbreviate a speech. v.i. to use abbreviations. 1. to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase.

2. to reduce in length, duration, etc.; make briefer: to abbreviate a speech.