abutment
noun
abut·ment
ə-ˈbət-mənt
plural abutments
1
: the place at which one thing borders on or abuts another
Once it chanced that I stood in the very abutment of a rainbow's arch, which filled the lower stratum of the atmosphere, tinging the grass and leaves around, and dazzling me as if I looked through colored crystal.—Henry David Thoreau
2
a
: the part of a structure (such as an arch or a bridge) that directly receives thrust or pressure
b
dentistry
: a tooth or part of a dental implant to which a prosthetic appliance (such as a bridge or artificial crown) is attached for support
A dental bridge, like a highway bridge … is supported by abutments, sound teeth on either side of the empty gap.—Mount Sinai Medical Center Family Guide to Dental Health
Cite this Entry
“Abutment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abutment. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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