Abbreviation: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when referring to a shortened form of a word or phrase created by omitting some letters or sounds.

• 'Dr.' is the abbreviation for 'Doctor'.
• 'Mr.' is an abbreviation for 'Mister'.

This word is applied when discussing the act of making something shorter in length, duration, or extent. It can refer to words or other things like time or objects.

• The shortening of the meeting was much appreciated.
• 'Feb' is a common shortening of 'February'.

This term can be used in a more general sense, often in academic or scientific settings, to describe the process of making something shorter or more compact, which can include text, liquids, or gases.

• The condensation of the chapter made it easier to understand.
• Clouds form through condensation of water vapor.

This word is best used when the shortened form is created by taking the initial letters of a series of words and combining them to form a new word.

• 'NASA' is an acronym for 'National Aeronautics and Space Administration'.
• 'ASAP' stands for 'As Soon As Possible'.

Used for a shortened form of a word or phrase, where some letters are typically dropped.

• Mr
• (Mister), Dr
• (Doctor)

Used when referring to the first letters of each word in a name or phrase. Often used to denote a person's name or a formal title.

• J
• K
• Rowling (Joanne Kathleen Rowling), F
• B
• I
• (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Used when creating a new word from the initial letters of a series of words. Common in organizations and technical fields.

• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Used in both writing and speech to refer to the simplification or truncation of words. Common in everyday language.

• fridge (refrigerator), photo (photograph)

When shortening a word or phrase to save space or time, often in written form.

• NATO is an abbreviation for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
• Doctor is often written as the abbreviation 'Dr.'.

Typically used to refer to a simple or more concise version of a word or phrase, often in casual or spoken communication.

• ASAP is the short form for 'as soon as possible'.
• She prefers the short form 'Liz' instead of 'Elizabeth'.

When referring to a system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, particularly for secrecy or technical purposes.

• The spy communicated in a secret code.
• The genetic code in DNA is vital for building proteins.

When using a character or sign to represent something else, common in mathematics, science, or general notation.

• The peace symbol is recognized worldwide.
• In mathematics, the plus symbol '+' indicates addition.