# abstraction

/æbˈstɹækʃən/ (US) · /ɐbstɹˈækʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abstraction
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

an idea or quality that is not a physical thing. You use this word when talking about concepts like love, justice, or time instead of objects you can touch. In computing, an abstraction is a simplified version of a complex system that lets you focus on what it does rather than how it works.

For teachers: the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events; a concept that is not physical or concrete. Often used in academic or technical contexts to describe theoretical frameworks. In software engineering, abstraction involves hiding complex implementation details behind a simpler interface to reduce complexity and improve design.

## Examples

- Love is an abstraction, not a physical object.
- The professor explained that democracy is a complex abstraction.
- Modern art often relies on abstraction to convey emotion without realistic detail.

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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.