coupon

noun

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

Example Sentences

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 Yaheetech Upholstered Bed Frame, $64.88 with coupon (orig. Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 Marvel Avengers Hulk Fist Bottle Opener, $9.99 with coupon (orig. Melissa Epifano, EW.com, 15 May 2023 Kirkland’s Home will also honor 20% off on single item coupons across all 430+ locations through May 31. Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2023 Gift cards will be good until May 8, and coupons will be accepted until Wednesday. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2023 Sha Cerlin Upholstered Queen Bed, $79.95 with coupon (orig. Clara Mcmahon, Peoplemag, 13 May 2023 Use apps to take advantage of smarter, money-saving decisions and to take advantage of discounts and coupons. Winnie Sun, Forbes, 3 May 2023 The chain turned lemons into lemonade, though, offering a $10 bucket promotion on its app and coupons to disappointed carnivores. Spencer Jakab, wsj.com, 3 May 2023 And thanks to a 15 percent off onsite coupon, the case is only less than $15 right now. Chaunie Brusie, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coupon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coupon was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near coupon

Cite this Entry

“Coupon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coupon. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

coupon

noun
cou·​pon ˈk(y)ü-ˌpän How to pronounce coupon (audio)
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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on coupon

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