What keyword is used to extend an abstract class in Java?

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In Java, the keyword used to extend an abstract class is "extends." When you create a new class that is intended to inherit from an abstract class, you use "extends" in the class declaration. This establishes a parent-child relationship where the child class inherits the properties and methods of the abstract class, including any abstract methods that need to be implemented.

Using "extends" signifies that the new class is a subclass of the abstract class and, as a result, must either implement all of the abstract methods defined in the abstract class or be declared as an abstract class itself. This keyword is fundamental in Java's inheritance model, allowing for code reuse and establishing polymorphic behavior.

In contrast, options such as "implement," "inherit," and "abstract" do not serve this purpose in the context of extending classes. "Implement" is typically used in interface contexts where a class provides concrete behavior for methods defined in an interface. "Inherit" is a conceptual term describing the relationship but is not a keyword in Java. Lastly, "abstract" refers to the characteristics of the class being declared, rather than a mechanism for extending it.