# abridgment

CEFR C1 · Noun

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

## Definition

a shorter version of a long book or legal document. It contains only the most important parts so you can read it faster.

For teachers: a shortened version of a text or legal document, containing only the essential parts. Often used in legal contexts to refer to a summary of a statute or case.

## Examples

- The abridgment of the long novel is much easier to read.
- Law students often use an abridgment of the constitution to find specific clauses quickly during their exams.
- The legal team prepared a detailed abridgment of the evidence to ensure the judge could grasp the core facts of the case without being overwhelmed by minor procedural details.

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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.