abutment

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 →
2. An abutment is also the place where two things touch or join. tree →

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 →
• Floodwater damaged the abutment, so the bridge was closed. tree →
• An arch pushes outwards, so it needs strong abutments. tree →
• In our bridge project, we used blocks as abutments. tree →
• The old Roman bridge still rests on its original abutments. tree →
• Engineers checked the abutments for cracks. tree →

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.