# Is abbrev ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> abbrev@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Like ruby's abbrev module, but in js

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against abbrev@5.0.0.

abbrev ships CommonJS only. require("abbrev") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0. import "abbrev" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("abbrev") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import abbrev from "abbrev"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/abbrev

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (May 8, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/abbrev
- Node engines: ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 47.9M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for abbrev@5.0.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("abbrev") from a CommonJS file and import "abbrev" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("abbrev") | import "abbrev" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import abbrev

ES modules:

```js
import abbrev from "abbrev";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const abbrev = require("abbrev");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (13 versions; the newest 13 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.3 – 5.0.0 | CommonJS | Mar 21, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is abbrev ESM-only?**

abbrev@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. abbrev ships CommonJS only. require("abbrev") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0. import "abbrev" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import abbrev with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import abbrev from "abbrev" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does abbrev work in Bun?**

Yes. import "abbrev" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does abbrev ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/abbrev".

## Links

- [abbrev on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/abbrev)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/npm/abbrev-js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/abbrev/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/abbrev.json)

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