/euh bree'vee ay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase, used to represent the whole, as Dr. for Doctor, U.S. for United States, lb. for pound.
2. an act of abbreviating; state or result of being abbreviated; reduction in length, duration, etc.; abridgment.
[ 1400-50; late ME abbreviacioun ( abbreviation- (s. of abbreviatio ). See ABBREVIATE, -ION ]