debtor

noun

debt·​or ˈde-tər 

1

: one guilty of neglect or violation of duty

2

: one who owes a debt

Examples of debtor in a Sentence

The debtor agrees to pay the debt over a three-year period.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pat McGrath Labs has received $10 million in debtor in possession financing. —Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

That was followed by Chapter 11, in which debtors continue operating while trying to reduce debt and exit bankruptcy with a plan. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026

When the debts are large enough, the debtor calls the shots, because default becomes unbearable. —Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026

For debtors with moderate income and debt — like those catching up on car payments while managing credit card balances — the monthly payments are generally between $500 and $600. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for debtor

• better
• bettor
• fetter
• getter
• letter
• netter
• petar
• petter
• rhetor
• setter
• sweater
• tetter

Kids Definition

debtor

noun

debt·​or ˈdet-ər 

1

: sinner

2

: one that owes a debt

Legal Definition

debtor

noun

debt·​or

: a person who owes a debt see also bankrupt compare creditor, obligee, obligor

Note: The Bankruptcy Act of 1978 calls the person concerned in a bankruptcy case the “debtor” as opposed to the “bankrupt.”