Abandoning

/əˈbændənɪŋ/

verbIntermediateCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

to give up or leave something or someone without intention of returning

/əˈbændən/

verbneutralIntermediate
General

to leave or desert something or someone

The hikers were forced to abandon their campsite due to the storm.

💡 Simply: to leave something or someone behind

More Examples

2

The company is abandoning its plans to expand into the new market.

How It's Used

Military

"The soldiers were abandoning their posts to retreat."

Personal relationships

"She felt abandoned by her friends after the move."

Idioms & expressions

abandon ship

To leave a situation or project, often in a hurry or due to danger

"The crew had to abandon ship due to the storm."

From Old French 'abandoner', from 'a' (to) and 'bandon' (power, jurisdiction), from 'bandon', from 'ban' (proclamation, ban).

The word 'abandon' has been used since the 14th century, initially in the context of feudal law and later in military and nautical contexts.

Memory tip

think of 'a band on' and imagine a group leaving their post

Word Origin

Root: bandon

abandeningabandondingabandonning

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written