abut

verb

ə-ˈbət 

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

Synonyms

• adjoin
• border (on)
• butt (on or against)
• flank
• fringe
• join
• march (with)
• neighbor
• skirt
• touch
• verge (on)

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

While the wall remains a focal point in immigration discourse, tunnels like the one uncovered in the city of San Luis Rio Colorado in Mexico, which abuts the U.S. border, show how traffickers adapt to bypass barriers. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

But dozens of residents — many of whom have lived in the single-family residential neighborhood that abuts the property for several years — spoke out against the proposal due to traffic, safety and parking concerns, as well as the sheer size of the structures that would tower over their homes. —Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024

Photo : Tyler Hogan The middle floor opens to a covered terrace abutting the pool area. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2024

Ojo Sarco, New Mexico This two-bedroom adobe home sits on 5.56 acres abutting Carson National Forest. —The Week Staff, theweek, 26 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

abut

verb

ə-ˈbət 

abutted; abutting

: to touch along a border or with a part that sticks out

abutter noun

Legal Definition

abut

verb

ə-ˈbət 

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