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

Rates are higher if you use debit or credit cards.

From Barron's

Then in July electricity customers paying by direct debit monthly or quarterly will have £30 credited to their accounts, and pay-as-you-go customers will have £30 credited to their keycard card.

From BBC

Prepayment customers were previously charged more than those who settle their bill by direct debit, but now pay the same after the latest move to align what prepayment and Direct Debit customers pay.

From BBC

He did use a fake name for the sender's details - to avoid spam, he claims - but stresses that he paid with his own debit card.

From BBC

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