Which definition best describes the word abbreviation?

• A. The act of shortening something
• B. A shortened form of a name, phrase or word
• C. A symbol used to denote something
• D. The practice of shortening long texts

Answer: (B)

Abbreviation means a shortened form of a word or phrase, used to save space or time in writing while still being recognizable. This concept is about producing a compact version of what you mean, not creating a symbol or summarizing an entire text. For example, Dr. stands for Doctor, Inc. for Incorporated, and etc. for et cetera. An abbreviation isn’t just any shortening tool like a symbol (which is a sign rather than a shortened word) and it isn’t the act of condensing a long passage into a brief summary. The definition in focus emphasizes the shortened form of a word or phrase, so it fits best.