abort

/əˈbɔːrt/
noun
  1. An act of stopping a process or mission before it is completed.
    • The launch was called off after a last-minute abort.
    • We had to do an abort of the experiment when the equipment failed.
    • The system automatically performs an abort if the temperature rises too high.
verb
  1. To stop a process, mission, or activity before it is completed, especially because of a problem.
    • We decided to abort the project when the funding fell through.
    • The pilot had to abort the landing due to heavy fog on the runway.
    • The computer program will abort the installation if it detects a virus.
  2. To end a pregnancy early so that it does not result in the birth of a baby.
    • She decided to abort the pregnancy for medical reasons.
    • In some countries, it is illegal to abort a fetus after a certain stage.
    • The doctor explained the risks of choosing to abort the pregnancy.
  3. To cause something to stop developing or growing; to terminate prematurely.
    • The cold weather aborted the growth of the young plants.
    • The software update was aborted because of a critical error.
    • The mission was aborted just minutes before launch.
What does "abort" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean