abatement

noun

abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt How to pronounce abatement (audio)
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

Examples of abatement in a Sentence

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.
Enhance La Jolla has authority to augment services provided by the city, including landscape maintenance, street and sidewalk cleaning, litter and graffiti abatement and additional trash collection. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025 Twice in the past 10 years the city of Fort Worth has sued the owner, Shetal Patel and his company, RMP Hospitality, LLC, under nuisance abatement statutes, citing evidence of extensive criminal activity on the premises. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025 Ahead of the abatement from Kellanova, Castillo said Santa Clara County District 2 Supervisor Betty Duong, District 3 City Councilmember Anthony Tordillos’ office and several community organizations attempted to find alternative locations. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 The rare abatement from the data blackout is due to the Social Security Administration’s need to have third-quarter CPI data to calculate and publish its annual cost-of-living adjustments. Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abatement

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abatement was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abatement. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

abatement

noun
abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt How to pronounce abatement (audio)
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 How to pronounce abatement (audio)
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-helpW. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
2
: an amount abated : deduction
especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax

More from Merriam-Webster on abatement

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