Abate Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Abate, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Abate?

v. literal meaning is to diminish or doing away with. It is used in the context of putting an end to a problem, such as a public or private nuisance, say, for example this might involve a cause loud noise, a breach of privacy, an encroachment on property by animals, garbage or other unwanted things, or a construction that violates building and safety codes.

History and Meaning of Abate

Abate is a legal term that is used to describe reducing or ending something. It is used to put an end to a problem such as a public or private nuisance - this could be loud noise pollution, encroachment of property by unwanted things, violation of building codes, a violation of privacy, and so on.

In the context of legal cases, abatement is used when a party has filed a claim against another party for a problem or nuisance they caused, and that problem is subsequently solved. When the problem is solved, the claim may be dismissed or abated by the court.

Examples of Abate

  1. A neighbor who plays loud music at night, causing a disturbance, has the music abated by the police.
  2. A landlord violates building codes by not keeping up with maintenance, but quickly abates the issue by hiring a contractor to make improvements.
  3. A factory that produces toxic chemicals is ordered to abate their pollution levels by installing new filters on their smokestacks.

Legal Terms Similar to Abate

  1. Cease and Desist - an order to stop doing something.
  2. Remedy - a way to correct a problem, usually through legal means.
  3. Injunction - a court order to stop doing something or to require a specific action to be taken to remedy a situation.