abatement

noun

abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt 

1

: the act or process of reducing or otherwise abating something

abatement of pollution

: the state of being abated

a storm continuing without abatement [=without weakening]

2

: an amount abated

especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax

… devised tax credits, refunds, and abatements to benefit private corporations …

—William Greider

Synonyms of abatement

• reduction
• deduction

Examples of abatement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Twice in the past 10 years, the city has sued the motel’s owner under nuisance abatement statutes. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026

On top of ongoing vegetation abatement, the fire district is planning evacuation drills in high-risk neighborhoods this summer. —Drew Andre, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Other projects at Capital High include a boiler replacement, which involves asbestos abatement and demolishing the old boiler, and installing new bleachers in its auxiliary gym. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2026

Amounts will vary widely among taxpayers, but tax refunds or abatements could be substantial in some cases, particularly for businesses and taxpayers with substantial failure-to-pay penalties. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from abatre "to abate" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing abatement

• tax abatement

Rhymes for abatement

• overstatement
• reinstatement
• understatement
• affreightment
• misstatement
• restatement
• statement

Kids Definition

abatement

noun

abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt 

1

: the act or process of abating : the state of being abated

2

: an amount abated (as from a tax)

Legal Definition

abatement

noun

abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt 

1

: the act or process of abating or the state of being abated

challenged the abatement of her bequest

abatement of a private nuisance by self-help

—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton

2

: an amount abated : deduction

especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax