Abstraction is the process of generalizing rules and concepts from specific examples, literal (real or concrete) signifiers, first principles, or other methods.

From its roots, abstraction should mean basically "something pulled or drawn away". So abstract art is art that has moved away from painting objects of the ordinary physical world in order to …

ABSTRACTION definition: an abstract or general idea or term. See examples of abstraction used in a sentence.

ABSTRACTION definition: 1. the quality of existing as or representing an idea, a feeling, etc. and not a material object…. Learn more.

An abstraction is a general idea rather than one relating to a particular object, person, or situation.

abstraction, n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Definition of abstraction noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 11, 2025 · abstraction (countable and uncountable, plural abstractions) The act of abstracting, separating, withdrawing, or taking away; withdrawal; the state of being taken away.

Abstraction, the cognitive process of isolating, or “abstracting,” a common feature or relationship observed in a number of things, or the product of such a process.

We can think of abstraction as allowing for the separation of two groups of people with different goals: the creators of an entity, and the users (or clients) of that entity.