Abduction has two main meanings. In biologythe science of living things and their structures and physiologythe study of how living bodies work, it means moving a body part away from the center of the body. In law and everyday use, it means taking someone away by forcepower used to make someone do something or go somewhere.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌæbˈdʌkʃən/
Easy pronunciation: ab-DUK-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable.
Physiology sense: moving a body part away from the central axis of the body.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Abduction Meaning
the movement of a body part away from the middle of the body
Part of speech: noun
Definition: moving a body part away from the central axis of the body
Example: Shoulder abduction is part of many physical therapy exercises.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Abduction
Meaning 2
taking a person away by force, usually to kidnap them
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the criminal act of capturing and carrying away by force a family member; if a man's wife is abducted it is a crime against the family relationship and against the wife
Example: Police are investigating the abduction of a business executive.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse abduction with addiction.
- In medical contexts, abduction means moving away from the body’s center, not kidnapping.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does abduction mean?
Abduction can mean moving a body part away from the body’s center, or it can mean kidnapping someone by force.
What is the medical meaning of abduction?
In medicine and physiology, abduction is the movement of a limb or other body part away from the central axis of the body.
Is abduction the same as kidnapping?
In everyday use, yes, abduction is very close to kidnapping, though abduction is the more formal word.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
