debit

American  

[deb-it] / ˈdɛb ɪt /

noun

1. the recording or an entry of debt in an account.

2. Bookkeeping.

   1. that which is entered in an account as a debt; a recorded item of debt.

   2. any entry or the total shown on the debit side.

   3. the left-hand side of an account on which such entries are made (credit ).

3. an undesirable or disadvantageous feature.

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verb (used with object)

1. to charge with a debt.

   The store debited her account for the purchase.

2. to charge as a debt.

   The store debited the purchase to her account.

3. Bookkeeping. to enter upon the debit side of an account.

debit British  

/ ˈdɛbɪt /

noun

1. 1. acknowledgment of a sum owing by entry on the left side of an account

   2. the left side of an account

   3. an entry on this side

   4. the total of such entries

   5. ( as modifier ) Compare credit

      a debit balance

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verb

1. (tr)

   1. to record (an item) as a debit in an account

   2. to charge (a person or his account) with a debt Compare credit

Other Word Forms

• predebit noun
• redebit verb (used with object)
• undebited adjective

Etymology

Origin of debit

1400–50; late Middle English < Old French < Latin dēbitum something owed; debt

Example Sentences

Frequent flyers who hold a United Airlines co-branded credit or debit card can soon earn up to twice as many miles as noncardholders, effectively rewarding the airline’s biggest spenders.

From MarketWatch

It is legal for users to do this: the Electronic Fund Transfer Act says consumers may notify a financial institution to stop payments at least three business days before a scheduled debit.

From MarketWatch

All three of us have personal debit cards.

From Literature

Bank of America’s report is drawn from its assessment of its own debit- and credit-card transactions as well as bank-account information.

From MarketWatch

Though it offers credit and debit cards, and interest-bearing accounts, Step is technically not a bank, but rather a financial services platform backed by Evolve Bank & Trust.

From Barron's