noun
abbreviation
uh-bree-vee-AY-shun/əˌbriːviˈeɪʃn/
The shortening of an expression or other material.
The abbreviation Dr. replaces Doctor.
Etymology
Built on the idea of being short, this noun named both the act of shortening and a shortened thing. In the selected sense, it is the resulting short form that stands for a word or phrase.
In context
the abbreviation hs however it's really no longer recommended because it can be confused with half strength and it would represent bedtime but they really recommend that you write out the word bedtime instead of using hs
More examples
- Careful abbreviation preserved the argument while removing repetition.
- The guide explains every abbreviation on the map.
- Medical abbreviations can confuse unfamiliar readers.
Forms
abbreviation · abbreviations
abbreviate verb — shorten a word or phrase
Similar words
- acronym
- An acronym is one kind of abbreviation, formed from initial letters and pronounced as a word.
- contraction
- A contraction omits internal letters or sounds; abbreviation includes other shortening methods.