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 (opposed to 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 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

---

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; see debt

Explanation

A debit is a payment made or charged, or the notation of the amount charged. Trying to track down the mysterious $2 debit to your bank account is almost never fruitful, but you’re bound to do it anyway. From the Latin debere, meaning “to owe,” and just one i away from its more blunt cousin debt, a debit seems like a little word. But add an s to the end, and those charges really add up. You can use the word debit as a verb — “to debit your account,” or a noun — “the debit on your account,” but either way, a debit means you have less money than you had before!

Example Sentences

Nearly 40% of lower-income households have no summer travel plans this year, and are spending less on airfare, lodging, and travel than they did last year, according to its debit and credit card data.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

However, Bloomberg’s data on credit and debit card transactions appeared weaker in April.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

“Refunds are only able to be applied for canceled flights purchased with a credit or debit card.”

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

Spirit said it would automatically process refunds for flights purchased through its channels with a credit or debit card.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

I sigh, and then reach for my back pocket, handing the guy my debit card.

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan