1. The act or process of abutting.
2. 1. Something that abuts.
   2. The point of contact of two abutting objects or parts.
3. 1. The part of a structure that bears the weight or pressure of an arch.
   2. A structure that supports the end of a bridge.
   3. A structure that anchors the cables of a suspension bridge.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.