down payment

American  

Or down-payment

noun

• down payments
  plural

1. an initial amount paid at the time of purchase, in installment buying, time sales, etc.

2. any initial or partial payment, gift, favor, or recompense, as to reduce one's indebtedness or express one's obligation or gratitude.

   This gift is just a down payment for all the favors I owe you.

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down payment British  

noun

1. the deposit paid on an item purchased on hire-purchase, mortgage, etc

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down payment Cultural  

1. A payment in part made at the time of purchase of a good, with the promise to make full payment later.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• down payments
  plural

Etymology

Origin of down payment

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

down payment

We should have a substantial down payment when we sell and purchase in California.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

For investors saving for near-term milestones such as a home down payment, Mayo recommends ultra-short-term bond funds so their savings don’t lose value if the market drops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Traditionally, young adults have been likely to expect to rent during their early working years while they save up for a down payment to buy a home.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

The Grammy-award winning rapper may have already received a down payment worth millions of dollars for the planned Russian dates, Fontanka reported.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

She also knew that her mother’s name did not appear on the deed for the family farm, even though she had provided the money for the down payment.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• deposit