An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word (or phrase). An abbreviation is pronounced identically to the long form of the word. For example, Mr. is prounced "Mister." Abbreviations are often used to save time and space. Some abbreviations are followed by a period (such as Mr., Prof., ft. and Aug.), but some are not (such as cm, min, NY, and mph). Mrs. and Ms. are not shortened forms of other words (so they are not abbreviations). The abbreviation of the word abbreviation is abbrev.