coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈkü-ˌpän  ˈkyü- 

1

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment

also : the interest rate of a coupon

2

: a small piece of paper that allows one to get a service or product for free or at a lower price: such as

a

: one of a series of attached tickets or certificates often to be detached and presented as needed

b

: a ticket or form authorizing purchases of rationed commodities

c

: a certificate or similar evidence of a purchase redeemable in premiums

d

: a part of a printed advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on merchandise or services

Synonyms

• check
• pass
• pasteboard
• ticket

Examples of coupon in a Sentence

Bring in this coupon for a free oil change.

I'm always clipping coupons from the newspaper to use at the grocery store.

The coupon is good for one free ice-cream cone.

Send in this coupon for more information.

Recent Examples on the Web

Get started today: Sign up now for courses from Smarter by CNBC Make It and use the coupon code MEMORIAL to purchase any course at a discount of 30% off the regular course price (plus tax). —Cnbc Make It Staff, CNBC, 19 May 2025

Get 10% Off With Today’s Home Depot Promo Codes and Spring Offers Home Depot coupons and deals tend to ramp up in Spring, when people start refreshing their house and backyard, with deals of up to 50 percent on patio furniture, bath, mattresses and area rugs for Spring Decor Days. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 17 May 2025

An extension for Apple’s Safari browser, Plug scans the internet for cashback offers, coupons and the cheapest pricing point for products users want to buy. —Ardian Wibisono, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Start today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $67 (+taxes and fees) through May 13, 2025. —Megan Sauer, CNBC, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, piece, from couper to cut — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coupon

• zero coupon

Rhymes for coupon

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈk(y)ü-ˌpän 

1

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a bond and presented for payment on a stated date

2

a

: one of a series of tickets to be detached and presented as needed

b

: a ticket or form allowing the bearer to purchase rationed articles

c

: a certificate or other evidence of a purchase that may be exchanged for premiums

d

: a part of an advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on the price of something

Etymology

from French coupon "a part of a bill to be cut off and turned in with payment," from early French coupon "a piece (cut off)," from couper "to cut" — related to cope entry 2, coup

Legal Definition

coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈkü-ˌpän, ˈkyü- 

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a debt instrument and especially a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment

also : the interest rate of a coupon

Etymology

French, from Old French, piece, from couper to cut