abutted; abutting

transitive verb

1
: to border on : to touch along an edge
Their property abuts our land.
2
: to cause to touch or lean for support
abut a timber against a post

intransitive verb

1
: to touch along a border or with a projecting part
a parcel of land that abuts on the road
2
a
: to terminate at a point of contact
b
: to lean for support

Examples of abut in a Sentence

Their property and our property abut. our land abuts a nature preserve, so we see a lot of wildlife
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The property abuts the Village of Saukville and will be paid for with referendum money voters approved earlier this year. Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025 At times, the testimony skidded toward animosity, exasperation and anger over the 205-bed shelter at 4306 W. State St., at a former Salvation Army location that abuts homes in the Veterans Park neighborhood. Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2025 The parcel abuts Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025 Its 113-site campground abuts the lake, which runs through the park. David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for abut

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abutten, borrowed from Anglo-French abuter, from a-, verb-forming prefix (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + bout, but "push, thrust, blow, end, extremity," noun derivative from bouter, boter "to push, thrust, strike" — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abut was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Abut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abut. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

abut

verb
abutted; abutting
: to touch along a border or with a part that sticks out
abutter noun

Legal Definition

abut

verb
abutted; abutting

intransitive verb

: to touch along a border or with a projecting part
used with on, upon, or against
the land abuts on the road

transitive verb

: to border on : reach or touch with an end
two lots that abut each other

More from Merriam-Webster on abut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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