debit

[deb-it]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of debit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of debit¹

C15: from Latin dēbitum _debt

Example Sentences

Congress can consider an immediate cap on debit and credit-card swipe fees — a massive burden on most businesses, particularly small and family-owned ones.

Read more on MarketWatch

A man who forgot to cancel his direct debit to the Postcode Lottery at the request of his girlfriend has pocketed £125,000 in October's lottery draw.

Read more on BBC

This includes expanding programs that provide payment — in the form of debit cards, which Burke has likened to an “Amazon gift card” — to parents to cobble together customized educational plans for their children.

Read more on Salon

He promised to kick up the money to Perez, later providing him with a code to a prepaid debit card, according to the affidavit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The proportion of adults regularly using physical contactless cards dipped slightly as a result, although debit cards remain the most popular way to pay.

Read more on BBC