abutment

abutment

, abuttal

Architect Civil engineering a construction that takes the thrust of an arch or vault or supports the end of a bridge

Abutment

A masonry mass, pier, or solid part of a wall that takes the lateral thrust of an arch.

abutment

[ə′bət·mənt]

(civil engineering)

A surface or mass provided to withstand thrust; for example, end supports of an arch or a bridge.

(mining engineering)

In a coal mine, the place where the natural ground material makes contact with the ends of an embankment.

abutment

abutment A

A masonry mass (or the like) which receives the thrust of an arch, vault, or strut.