rebate

¹ American  

[ree-beyt, ree-beyt, ri-beyt] / ˈri beɪt, ˈri beɪt, rɪˈbeɪt /

noun

1. a return of part of the original payment for some service or merchandise; partial refund.

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verb (used with object)

rebated, rebating

1. to allow as a discount.

2. to deduct (a certain amount), as from a total.

3. to return (part of an original payment).

   He rebated five dollars to me.

4. to provide a rebate for (merchandise) after purchase.

   The manufacturer is rebating this air conditioner.

5. to blunt (an edged or pointed weapon).

6. to cover the edge or point of (an edged or pointed weapon) in order to make it incapable of cutting or piercing.

verb (used without object)

rebated, rebating

1. to allow rebates, especially as the policy or practice of a company, store, etc.

rebate ² American  

[ree-beyt, rab-it] / ˈri beɪt, ˈræb ɪt /

noun

rebated, rebating

1. rabbet.

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rebate ¹ British  

/ ˈræbɪt, ˈriːbeɪt /

noun

1. another word for rabbet

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rebate ² British  

noun

1. a refund of a fraction of the amount payable or paid, as for goods purchased in quantity; discount

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verb

1. to deduct (a part) of a payment from (the total)

2. archaic to reduce or diminish (something or the effectiveness of something)

rebate Cultural  

1. The return of part of a payment for a good. Unlike a discount, which is deducted from the price before purchase, a rebate is returned after purchase.

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Other Word Forms

• rebatable adjective
• rebateable adjective
• rebater noun

Etymology

Origin of rebate

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English rebaten (verb), from Old French rabatre “to beat, put down,” from re- re- + (a)batre “to beat” ( abate )

Example Sentences

After the work was completed, they received a $1,596 rebate for removing 798 square feet of turf in the 2,000-square-foot yard.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

I now want to close the account, but the company won’t allow me to do so because I have an active $5 rebate that was added years ago.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Meanwhile, the government's action plan will also see local authorities given a rebate on any land fill tax if they clear up dumps in their areas.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

“Rising working capital intensity at Lilly, headline price pressures, and rebate dynamics at both companies indicates to us that the pricing dynamics are likely to get worse,” the analyst wrote.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

He worked among a class of people who knew little of insurance or insurance laws and who are in the habit of figuring very closely, and this rebate proposition looked pretty good to them.

From The Best Policy by Flower, Elliott

Related Words

• abatement
• allowance
• bonus
• deduction
• discount
• kickback
• reduction
• reimbursement
• repayment