Among land transformations, agricultural land abandonment is increasingly attracting attention of both the scientific community and the policy makers. However, studies have often showed contradictory findings on agricultural land abandonment. This is because, land abandonment is a process which is often differently defined, measured, studied and compared across regions. The aim of this study is to disentangle the multi-dimensionality of this process for a better understanding of its role within land change systems. Based on a synthesis of the scientific literature and policy documents, we first discuss the various understandings of abandonment by presenting the definitions and terms used in literature, then, we identify the multi-dimensionality of land abandonment by presenting the perspectives that have been adopted in studying it, as well as the various research topics linked to it. Finally, we discuss the implications for comparative research and the need of new research paths on how to further develop the understanding of abandonment and its different dimensions, as well as their interconnections.