abatement

American  

[uh-beyt-muhnt] / əˈbeɪt mənt /

noun

• abatements
  plural

1. the act or state of abating or the state of being abated; reduction; decrease; alleviation; mitigation.

   Synonyms:

   diminution, letup

   Antonyms:

   increase, intensification

2. suppression or termination.

   abatement of a nuisance; noise abatement.

   Synonyms:

   cessation, end

3. an amount deducted or subtracted, as from the usual price or the full tax.

4. Law.

   1. a reduction of a tax assessment.

   2. the termination of a nuisance.

   3. a wrongful entry on land made by a stranger, after the owner's death and before the owner's heir or devisee has obtained possession.

   4. a decrease in the legacies of a will when the assets of an estate are insufficient to pay all general legacies in full.

5. Also called rebatement.  Heraldry. a charge or mark that, when introduced into a coat of arms, indicates the owner's disgrace.

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abatement British  

/ əˈbeɪtmənt /

noun

1. diminution or alleviation; decrease

2. suppression or termination

   the abatement of a nuisance

3. the amount by which something is reduced, such as the cost of an article

4. property law a decrease in the payment to creditors or legatees when the assets of the debtor or estate are insufficient to meet all payments in full

5. property law (formerly) a wrongful entry on land by a stranger who takes possession after the death of the owner and before the heir has entered into possession

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• abatements
  plural

Etymology

Origin of abatement

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French; equivalent to abate + -ment

Explanation

An abatement is a reduction or lessening. If you start bluntly telling people what you think of them, you might see an abatement in their friendliness toward you. Abatement comes from the French word for batter, but abatement doesn’t usually have a negative sense — abatement reduces something, but doesn’t beat it to a pulp. Many cities offer tax abatements to reward businesses starting up in areas they want to develop. If your heat doesn't work, you could sue your landlord for a rent abatement, since you shouldn't have to pay rent for days you don't have heat.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abatement abatements

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado and all five Los Angeles County supervisors were among the elected officials who submitted comments and letters in support of the abatement order.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Residents need only call the abatement district to get a special delivery of mosquito-eating fish for their backyard at no cost.

From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026

During the transition period, taxpayers can still request the first-time penalty abatement, according to the IRS.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

Such abatement policies have drawn interest from developers, along with a measure that expands the pool of qualifying buildings to those built before 1990 instead of 1961.

From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026

The morrow produced no abatement of Mrs. Bennet’s ill-humour or ill health.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

In the 2025 fiscal year, the IRS granted first-time penalty abatements to nearly 220,000 taxpayers, Collins said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

When cities reduce direct cash contributions, owners typically ask for something else, like favorable land deals at below-market prices, tax abatements, new highway ramps and infrastructure built at public expense, sanitation and security services.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Water Street in lower Manhattan has been a popular area for the makeovers, earning it the nickname "Conversion Alley," with buildings offering a mix of luxury and affordably-priced apartments to qualify for municipal abatements.

From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026

In 2001, Boeing moved its headquarters from Seattle, where it had been founded in 1916, to Chicago, prompted largely by tens of millions of dollars in tax abatements and other benefits.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2025

Consequently the clauses which allow the Commission to make abatements, if in their judgment the economic conditions of Germany require it, will render it in many different particulars the arbiter of Germany's economic life.

From The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes