debt

noun

1
: something owed : obligation
unable to pay off his debts
owe them a debt of gratitude
a criminal's debt to society
2
: a state of being under obligation to pay or repay someone or something in return for something received : a state of owing
deeply in debt to creditors
3
law and business : the common-law action for the recovery of money held to be due
4
: sin, trespass
Forgive us our debts.
debtless adjective

Examples of debt in a Sentence

He is trying to pay off gambling debts. The company has run up huge debts. Their debts are piling up. He's been working three jobs in an attempt to get out of debt. The company was in debt but is now turning a profit. I am deep in debt. I'm thousands of dollars in debt. She went into debt to pay for college. I'm worried that we will fall into debt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Biden administration has pushed for student loan relief, including canceling loan debt, although the administration has faced court challenges that have greatly diminished its efforts to forgive student loans. Zach Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025 Liman had ordered the former New York City mayor to turn over valuables to the women such as a Mercedes Benz once owned by Lauren Bacall, a Manhattan apartment and an autographed Joe DiMaggio baseball jersey to help settle his debt. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 Many were hoping the Federal Reserve ‘s rate cuts would spur a recovery in the sector, since lower rates mean cheaper debt and less burdensome financing costs. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025 Yields for the baseline 10-year U.S. Treasury note shot up about 10 basis points to its highest level since Nov. 2023 at nearly 4.8%; higher bond yields indicate less valuable bonds as investors demand higher interest payments to hold government debt. Derek Saul, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for debt 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dette, debte, from Anglo-French dette something owed, from Vulgar Latin *debita, from Latin, plural of debitum debt, from neuter of debitus, past participle of debēre to owe, from de- + habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of debt was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near debt

Cite this Entry

“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debt. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

debt

noun
1
2
: something owed to another : a thing or amount due
pay a debt of $10
3
: a condition of owing
hopelessly in debt

Legal Definition

debt

noun
1
: something owed: as
a
: a specific sum of money or a performance due another especially by agreement (as a loan agreement)
to pay the debts…of the United StatesU.S. Constitution art. I
a debt for alimony
b
: an obligation to pay or perform on another's claim
discharged the debt
compare asset, equity sense 4

Note: It is often up to the courts to decide what is or is not a debt under various laws. Courts disagree whether criminal restitution is a debt under the Bankruptcy Code.

antecedent debt
: debt that is incurred prior to a property transfer paying or securing the debt compare preference
bad debt
: a debt that cannot be collected

Note: An income tax deduction is allowed for bad debts.

consumer debt
: debt that is incurred by an individual primarily for the purchase of consumer goods or services compare consumer credit
judgment debt
: a debt established by a judgment and enforceable by a legal process (as an execution of judgment or attachment)
c
: a state of owing
in debt
d
: the aggregate of money owed
the national debt
2
: the common-law action for the recovery of a specified sum of money or a sum that can be simply and certainly determined

called also action of debt, writ of debt

compare assumpsit, covenant
Etymology

Old French dette, ultimately from Latin debita, plural of debitum debt, from neuter of debitus, past participle of debere to owe

More from Merriam-Webster on debt

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