/əˈbɔːʃən/-/əˈbɔːrʃən/ noun
a medical operation to end a pregnancy so that the baby is not born alive, or these operations in general
VERBS
have an abortion
She had an abortion when she was 16.
carry out/perform an abortion
Doctors have a legal right to refuse to carry out an abortion.
legalize abortion
In 1973, the Supreme Court took the decision to legalize abortion.
ban abortion
They want to ban abortion because it is against their religion.
oppose/be against abortion
The Catholic Church fiercely opposes abortion.
ADJECTIVES
an illegal abortion
Doctors performing illegal abortions and their assistants would have faced up to two years in prison.
a backstreet abortion (=a secret illegal abortion)
Many young women died after having backstreet abortions.
a late-term abortion (=an abortion at a late stage in pregnancy)
The law bans certain types of late-term abortion.
abortion + NOUNS
an abortion clinic
A group of protesters were standing outside the abortion clinic.
the abortion law
They want the abortion laws to be changed.
PHRASES
abortion on demand (=the right to have an abortion if you want one)
Many women see no wrong in abortion on demand.
anti-abortion
Anti-abortion activists have organized a protest march.
People who oppose abortion call themselves pro-life. People who support abortion call themselves pro-choice.