abutment

[ uh-buht-muhnt ]

noun

1. Architecture, Civil Engineering.
   1. a masonry mass supporting and receiving the thrust of part of an arch or vault.
   2. a force that serves to abut an arch or vault.
   3. a mass, as of masonry, receiving the arch, beam, truss, etc., at each end of a bridge.
   4. a mass or structure for resisting the pressure of water on a bridge, pier, or the like.
   5. each of the parts of a canyon or the like receiving the thrusts of an arch dam.
   6. a structure for absorbing tensions from reinforcing strands for concrete being prestressed.
2. the place where projecting parts meet; junction.
3. Dentistry. a tooth or tooth root that supports or stabilizes a bridge, denture, or other prosthetic appliance.

abutment

/ əˈbʌtmənt /

noun

1. the state or process of abutting
2. 1. something that abuts
   2. the thing on which something abuts
   3. the point of junction between them
3. architect civil engineering a construction that takes the thrust of an arch or vault or supports the end of a bridge

Word History and Origins

Origin of abutment¹

First recorded in 1635–45; abut + -ment

Example Sentences

On the abutment towers the chains are connected by horizontal links, carried on rockers, to anchor ties.

From Project Gutenberg

A more common type is a bridge with two leaves or bascules, one hinged at each abutment.

From Project Gutenberg

Let n (Fig. 55) be the distance of the load from D′, x1 the distance of D′ from the left abutment, and p the length of a bay.

From Project Gutenberg

This steep portion of the ladder was wrought in an abutment of the turret, where its base projected beyond the wall of the donjon.

From Project Gutenberg

On the west side timbers and wool sacks were sunk into a quicksand upon which to rest the foundations of the abutment.

From Project Gutenberg