---
title: "init(abbreviation:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Initializer
path: "foundation/nstimezone/init(abbreviation:)"
---

# init(abbreviation:)

Returns the time zone object identified by a given abbreviation.

## Declaration

```swift
convenience init?(abbreviation: String)
```

## Parameters

- `abbreviation`: An abbreviation for a time zone.

## Return Value

Return Value The time zone object identified by abbreviation determined by resolving the abbreviation to a name using the abbreviation dictionary and then returning the time zone for that name. Returns nil if there is no match for abbreviation.

## Discussion

Discussion In general, you are discouraged from using abbreviations except for unique instances such as “GMT”. Time Zone abbreviations are not standardized and so a given abbreviation may have multiple meanings—for example, “EST” refers to Eastern Time in both the United States and Australia

## See Also

### Related Documentation

- [Date and Time Programming Guide](apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/DatesAndTimes.md)

### Creating Time Zones

- [init(name:)](foundation/nstimezone/init(name:).md)
- [init(name:data:)](foundation/nstimezone/init(name:data:).md)
- [init(forSecondsFromGMT:)](foundation/nstimezone/init(forsecondsfromgmt:).md)
- [knownTimeZoneNames](foundation/nstimezone/knowntimezonenames.md)
- [abbreviationDictionary](foundation/nstimezone/abbreviationdictionary.md)