What is a shortened form of a word called?

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase that is used to save time and space in writing. It can consist of the initial letters of the words in a phrase (for example, "FBI" for "Federal Bureau of Investigation"), or it may involve truncating part of a word (like "Dr." for "Doctor" or "Ave." for "Avenue"). The use of abbreviations is common in various fields, including scientific writing, everyday communication, and technical writing, as it allows for more efficient expression while maintaining the essential meaning of the original term.

This understanding of abbreviations is crucial for effective communication, especially in contexts where brevity is important, such as in notes, labels, or when addressing character limits in text messages or social media.