verb
abolish
uh-BO-lihsh
verb
1
To officially end a law, system, or practice.
"The country abolished capital punishment in 1998."
"Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833."
How to Use Abolish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially get rid of something, usually a law, institution, or system — not a physical object.
Common pairings
abolish slavery
abolish a law
call to abolish
Word Forms
abolished past tense, abolisht past tense, abolishes singular
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The country _____ capital punishment in 1998.
Etymology
From Middle French abolir, from Latin abolere, "to destroy, wipe out."