abandon

/əˈbændən/ verb [T]

Definition

› to stop an activity before it is finished, usually because you think you cannot succeed: abandon a project/plan/an idea The car maker has abandoned its plans to build a giant new plant.abandon a lawsuit/case/claim The high cost of legal representation can influence a person's decision about whether to abandon a claim.

› to leave a person, place, or thing that needs you to care for them: He kept the company going because he didn't want to abandon his staff. A vehicle had been abandoned on the side of the road.

› INSURANCE to allow an insurance company to keep property that has been lost or damaged, in exchange for an insurance payment