plural ABC's or ABCs ˌā-(ˌ)bē-ˈsēz How to pronounce ABC (audio)
1
: alphabet
usually used in plural
2
a
: the rudiments of reading, writing, and spelling
usually used in plural
b
: the rudiments of a subject
usually used in plural

ABC

2 of 2

abbreviation

1
American Bowling Congress
2
American Broadcasting Companies
3
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Examples of ABC in a Sentence

Noun a book on the ABCs of computer usage

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near ABC

Cite this Entry

“ABC.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ABC. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

ABC

abbreviation
atomic, biological, and chemical

More from Merriam-Webster on ABC

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!