---
name: "abort"
section: "3"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/abort"
---

# abort(3)

cause abnormal program termination

## NAME

**abort** – cause abnormal program termination

## LIBRARY

Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<stdlib.h\>**

*void*\

**abort**(*void*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **abort**() function causes abnormal program termination to occur, unless the signal SIGABRT is being caught and the signal handler does not return.

Any open streams are flushed and closed.

## IMPLEMENTATION NOTES

The **abort**() function is thread-safe. It is unknown if it is async-cancel-safe.

## RETURN VALUES

The **abort**() function never returns.

## SEE ALSO

[abort2(2)](/abort2/2.md), [sigaction(2)](/sigaction/2.md), [exit(3)](/exit/3.md)

## STANDARDS

The **abort**() function conforms to ISO/IEC 9945-1:1990 (“POSIX.1”). The **abort**() function also conforms to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (“ISO C99”) with the implementation specific details as noted above.