abandonment

Everyday

1. Abandonment is leaving someone or something behind for ever, especially when you should have cared for them. tree →
2. Abandonment is giving up a plan or activity completely, as in the abandonment of the match. tree →
3. (formal) Abandonment is acting wildly and freely without control, as in dancing with abandonment. tree →
4. Abandonment can also mean giving yourself up completely to a feeling or a high ideal. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, the abandonment of a child or pet is a sad event; animal charities fight pet abandonment. In history, towns and castles fell into ruin after their abandonment. In sport, a match can be abandoned because of rain. In law, abandonment of a child or animal is a crime.

Examples

• Pet abandonment rises after the holidays. tree →
• The abandonment of the village left the houses empty. tree →
• Rain led to the abandonment of the cricket match. tree →
• The orphan in the story felt the pain of abandonment. tree →
• The castle fell into ruin after its abandonment. tree →
• The team decided on the abandonment of the old plan. tree →
• It is the lofty abandonment of self for the dawning of the beautiful in the soul! tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Related: abandon (verb), abandoned (adjective). This is a formal word; in everyday talk people say left or given up. Spelling: abandon + ment.