abut

[ uh-buht ]

verb (used without object)

, a·but·ted, a·but·ting.

1. to be adjacent; touch or join at the edge or border (often followed by on, upon, or against ):

   This piece of land abuts on a street.

verb (used with object)

, a·but·ted, a·but·ting.

1. to be adjacent to; border on; end at.
2. to support by an abutment.

abut

/ əˈbʌt /

verb

1. usually foll byon, upon, or against to adjoin, touch, or border on (something) at one end

Other Words From

• una·butting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abut¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French, Old French abuter touch at one end, verbal derivative of a but to (the) end; a- ⁵, butt ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of abut¹

C15: from Old French abouter to join at the ends, border on; influenced by abuter to touch at an end, buttress

Example Sentences

The victims — mostly Central Americans — were kidnapped from buses headed to Mexican cities abutting Texas.

From Los Angeles Times

The IAA identified the jugs as Canaanite, a people who resided in the lands abutting the eastern Mediterranean.

From Seattle Times

Before delving into the article itself, a few words abut the Washington Free Beacon.

From Los Angeles Times

“That’s going to be devastating for the local ecosystem. It’s going to present fire risk, with dead trees abutting developments. It’s going to be very expensive to remediate.”

From Los Angeles Times

Meyers said what he most enjoyed abut the gala was seeing “a lot of people that I’m a fan of, or have interviewed on the show.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• adjoin
• border on