[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/abutment/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / abutment

# abutment

noun (an abutment, abutments)

«abutment» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An abutment is a strong structure of stone, concrete or brick at each end of a bridge or arch that holds it up and takes its weight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#m1)
2. An abutment is also the place where two things touch or join. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science and technology lessons on bridges and structures, abutments at each end push back against the forces of an arch bridge so it does not spread apart; pupils build bridges and learn about forces. Phrases: «bridge abutment», «stone abutments».

### Examples

- The stone abutments hold up both ends of the bridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#x1)
- Floodwater damaged the abutment, so the bridge was closed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#x2)
- An arch pushes outwards, so it needs strong abutments. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#x3)
- In our bridge project, we used blocks as abutments. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#x4)
- The old Roman bridge still rests on its original abutments. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#x5)
- Engineers checked the abutments for cracks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Say «a-BUT-ment». From the verb «abut» (to touch along an edge: «our garden abuts the park»). Technical word in building and engineering.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «abutment» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abutment/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«abutment» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/abutment.html) on Mova free.