# abend

/ˈæbɛnd/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abend
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a specific error or problem that happens in a computer program. It is a technical word used to describe a situation where the program stops working correctly.

For teachers: a specific error or exception condition in a computer program. Often used in the context of mainframe computing to describe a system-generated error that halts execution.

## Examples

- The system crashed with an abend after the file was corrupted.
- The technician spent the entire afternoon trying to trace the abend back to a specific line of code.
- In legacy mainframe environments, an abend is typically followed by a diagnostic dump to help developers identify the exact point where the program failed to execute properly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.