Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

depreciation

American  
[dih-pree-shee-ey-shuhn] / dɪˌpri ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. decrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc.

  2. such a decrease as allowed in computing the value of property for tax purposes.

  3. a decrease in the purchasing or exchange value of money.

  4. a lowering in estimation.

depreciation British  
/ dɪˌpriːʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

  1. accounting

    1. the reduction in value of a fixed asset due to use, obsolescence, etc

    2. the amount deducted from gross profit to allow for such reduction in value

  2. accounting a modified amount permitted for purposes of tax deduction

  3. the act or an instance of depreciating or belittling; disparagement

  4. a decrease in the exchange value of currency against gold or other currencies brought about by excess supply of that currency under conditions of fluctuating exchange rates Compare devaluation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
depreciation Cultural  

  1. A decline over time in the value of a tangible asset, such as a house or car.

Other Word Forms

  • nondepreciation noun
  • predepreciation noun
  • redepreciation noun
  • underdepreciation noun

Etymology

Origin of depreciation

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40; depreciate + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Recent changes in federal tax laws regarding property depreciation benefits have added incentive, he said, and with office leasing improving around the country, lenders are looking more favorably on backing office purchases.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The Revolution and Sunrise projects together account for around 15% of Orsted’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, analysts at Italian investment bank Equita said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The mounting depreciation from all of its capex will become a bigger drag on Meta’s earnings in the coming years.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

SpaceX generated $16 billion of revenue and $7.5 billion of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization last year, largely thanks to its Starlink business, according to PitchBook.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Prices kept going up and up, and depreciation of the paper money took a lot of the profit out of it.

From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.