abatement

American  

[uh-beyt-muhnt] / əˈbeɪt mənt /

noun

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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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

Abatement efforts Monday will have to be re-evaluated because of the reinvigorated fire, Tustin Police Lt.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2023

"It's kind of unprecedented, the level of probably mosquito production we're gonna see this year with all the water," Michael Cavanagh, district manager of Kings Mosquito Abatement District, told KFSN.

From Salon • May 13, 2023

His lobbying helped to push the 1960 Noise Abatement Act through the UK parliament.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2022

The researchers collected sewage samples from the East Shore Water Pollution Abatement Facility in New Haven, from March 19 to May 1.

From Fox News • May 27, 2020

Monday, November 29th.—Some time ago Lord Newton was appointed Chairman of a Committee on Smoke Abatement.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, December 8, 1920 by Seaman, Owen, Sir