Definition of: abbreviation

(ə·brēvē·ā′shən) noun
1. A shortened form or contraction, as of a word or phrase: abridgment.
2. A making shorter or the state of being shortened.
3. Music A notation indicating repeated notes, chords, etc., by a single symbol. Synonyms: abridgment, abstract, compendium, condensation, contraction, curtailment, epitome, reduction, shortening, summary. An abbreviation is a shortening by any method; a contraction is a reduction of size by the drawing together of the parts. A contraction of a word is made by omitting certain letters or syllables and bringing together the first and last letters or elements; a contraction is an abbreviation, but an abbreviation is not necessarily a contraction. Abbreviation and contraction are used of words and phrases, abridgment of books, paragraphs, sentences, etc. See ABRIDGMENT. Antonyms: amplification, dilation, dilution, elongation, enlargement, expansion, expatiation, explication, extension, prolongation.
ABBREVIATION (def. 3)