In car braking systems, what does the abbreviation ABS stand for?

In car braking systems, ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System. It is designed to prevent the wheels from locking when the driver brakes hard, helping maintain tire contact with the road and allowing the driver to keep steering control.

A typical ABS uses wheel-speed sensors, electronically controlled valves, a hydraulic pump, and a control unit. When a sensor detects that a wheel is about to stop rotating, the system briefly reduces brake pressure at that wheel, then reapplies it—many times per second if necessary. The pulsing sensation often felt through the brake pedal during emergency braking is normal ABS operation.

The technology has roots in aircraft and railway braking. Dunlop’s Maxaret system became an important early anti-lock design, while modern electronic ABS was developed for vehicles during the late 1960s and 1970s. Mercedes-Benz introduced an electronic four-wheel ABS option in 1978.

ABS does not always shorten stopping distances, especially on loose gravel or deep snow. Its main benefit is preserving directional control while braking.