What does "abandonment" mean?

1. (leaving someone or something) the act of leaving a person, place, or thing forever. 2. (giving up a right) giving up a legal right, a claim, or a piece of property. 3. (lack of inhibition) a feeling of being completely free or losing control of your emotions.

How do you use "abandonment"?

Often used in contexts involving patents, insurance, or property law.

abandonment

US //əˈbændənmənt// UK //ɐbˈændənmənt// aban·don·ment

1 leaving someone or something (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of leaving a person, place, or thing forever.

the act of deserting or permanently leaving a person, place, or object to whom one has an obligation or attachment.

Example

The abandonment of the old village happened after the local factory closed down.

Example

The sudden abandonment of the project left several contractors with unpaid invoices and no clear point of contact for legal recourse.
- reclamation
- maintenance
2 giving up a right (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

giving up a legal right, a claim, or a piece of property.

the voluntary relinquishment of a legal right, claim, privilege, or interest in property.

Example

The lawyer explained that the abandonment of the claim meant they could not ask for money later.

Example

Under maritime law, the abandonment of the vessel to the underwriters allowed the shipping company to claim for a total loss.

Usage

Often used in contexts involving patents, insurance, or property law.
- acquisition
- claim

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3 lack of inhibition (n.)
C1 Advanced Literary

a feeling of being completely free or losing control of your emotions.

a state of complete lack of inhibition or restraint; surrendering oneself to an impulse or emotion.

Example

She danced with total abandonment, not caring who was watching her.

Example

The crowd cheered with wild abandonment as the final goal was scored in the closing seconds of the match.

Origin

Borrowed from French abandonnement, from abandonner (“to abandon, relinquish”). abandonner was originally equivalent to mettre à bandon (“to leave to the jurisdiction, i.e. of another”), bandon being from Medieval Latin bandum, bannum (“order, decree, ban”). Equivalent to abandon + -ment. (See also English banns.)