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

The program continues to offer a set of relief options, including installment agreements, Offers in Compromise, penalty abatement and lien relief, with the same basic eligibility requirements that have been in place since 2012. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

The tax-abatement area includes about 158 acres that were rezoned in 2022 to M-1 at the behest of industrial park developer Becknell Industries. —Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

The first-time abatement is very different. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

When offers are not appropriate, attorneys consider alternative resolutions such as installment agreements, currently not collectible status, penalty abatement, or audit reconsideration. —Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 19 Jan. 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