dis·count
ˈdi-ˌskau̇nt 
1
: a reduction made from the gross (see gross entry 1 sense 3b) amount or value of something: such as
a(1)
: a reduction made from a regular or list price
offering customers a ten percent discount
buy tickets at a discount
(2)
: a proportionate deduction from a debt account usually made for cash or prompt payment
b
: a deduction made for interest in advancing money upon or purchasing a bill or note not due
2
: the act or practice of discounting (see discount entry 2)
3
: a deduction taken or allowance made
… we may … have to make very heavy discount, or even sometimes to reject our author's conclusions altogether.—
G. G. Coulton
G. G. Coulton
dis·count
ˈdi-ˌskau̇nt
di-ˈskau̇nt
di-ˈskau̇nt
discounted; discounting; discounts
1
a
: to make a deduction (see deduction sense 1a) from usually for cash or prompt payment
a discounted price
b
: to sell or offer for sale at a discount (see discount entry 1 sense 1)
discounting last year's model
2
: to lend money on after deducting the discount
3
a
: to leave out of account or consideration : disregard
discount the possibility that the situation may worsen
its effect cannot be entirely discounted
b
: to minimize the importance of
shouldn't discount his contributions
c(1)
: to make allowance (see allowance entry 1 sense 2) for bias or exaggeration in
discount most of their claims
(2)
: to view with doubt
discount a rumor
d
: to anticipate or take into account (something, such as a future event) in present calculations or planning
… mail came chiefly from those organized groups whose opposition had already been discounted …—Time
Time
: to give or make discounts (see discount entry 1)
stores planning to discount after the holidays
dis·count
ˈdi-ˌskau̇nt
1
a
: selling goods or services for less than their regular or list price : selling goods or services at a discount (see discount entry 1 sense 1a(1))
discount stores
a discount broker
discount airlines
b
: offered or sold at a discount
discount tickets
2
: reflecting a discount
discount prices
Synonyms
Examples of discount in a Sentence
Noun
The store offers a two percent discount when customers pay in cash.
a discount of 20% from the original price
Verb
The vacation plan included a discounted price on our hotel room.
Car dealers are heavily discounting last year's unsold models.
These threats cannot be entirely discounted.
Recent Examples on the WebRachel Trujillo, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Spend $100 to receive a 20% discount, spend $200 to receive a 25% discount, and spend $300 to receive a 30% discount.
—Donna Kim, Bon Appétit, 22 Nov. 2023
So get your clicking hands warmed up, toss out the shampoo empties on the edge of the tub, and keep reading to learn more about these rare discounts, and prepare for the best hair of your life.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023
These have dipped as low as $159 in the past, but this is still a good discount.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023
Brands have tested use-cases that encourage the wearer to scan it repeatedly; many share exclusive behind-the-scenes content or have considered offering discounts on future purchases.
—Maghan McDowell, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
While any sort of travel during Thanksgiving week comes with its share of inconveniences and headaches, people who are driving through five East Coast states could see some very sizable discounts at the gas pump.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Although 10% doesn’t seem like a very deep discount, Apple products rarely go on sale.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023
Then came the email invitation from AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons, inviting me to join and take advantage of the multiple discounts.
—WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023
Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2023
Stunning fragrances from Maison Margiela Replica are discounted too.
—Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
Right now, everything from Ugg mini boots to cozy slippers are discounted with prices starting at just $53.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023
Luckily, this cozy jacket—and several other styles—are heavily discounted as part of the brand's Black Friday sale.
—Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023
Options from Face Gym (which basically renewed my skin) are discounted.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target are already discounting these top brands.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023
The retail company has also started offering free coffees and discounted food to police officers as a way to deter crime in its stores.
—Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2023
Some types of consumer electronics are already discounted more than a month before Christmas Day, but retailers are expected to roll out the sweetest deals of the year during the traditional price-slashing window between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 5 May 2022
At the gate only are discount senior tickets for $8, a weekend pass for $25 and a four-to-a-car admission of $55.
—Kathy Cichon, chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2021
The stories energized widespread discussion of the lab-leak theory on social media, which quickly became meshed with theories about bioweapons research — a strain of speculation that scientists still strongly discount.
—Washington Post, 10 June 2021
Select facial cleansers, serums, and moisturizers are marked 30 percent off, including this $8 (post-discount) gem.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Apr. 2021
Black Friday isn't the only discount day worth counting down to.
—Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 7 Jan. 2020
According to BBC News’ Helen Briggs, the research doesn’t fully discount climate change’s contribution to cave bears’ extinction.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 16 Aug. 2019
And discount German grocery chain Aldi is growing rapidly in the United States.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 27 June 2019
Businesses from Phoenix to Gilbert to Surprise are offering free or almost free food and free or discount admission into museums and aqariums for Mother's Day.
—Georgann Yara and Sonja Haller, azcentral, 8 May 2018
See More
Noun
Outdoor security cameras are also on sale, coming in at just $34 after a 74-percent discount.
—Rachel Trujillo, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Spend $100 to receive a 20% discount, spend $200 to receive a 25% discount, and spend $300 to receive a 30% discount.
—Donna Kim, Bon Appétit, 22 Nov. 2023
So get your clicking hands warmed up, toss out the shampoo empties on the edge of the tub, and keep reading to learn more about these rare discounts, and prepare for the best hair of your life.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023
These have dipped as low as $159 in the past, but this is still a good discount.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023
Brands have tested use-cases that encourage the wearer to scan it repeatedly; many share exclusive behind-the-scenes content or have considered offering discounts on future purchases.
—Maghan McDowell, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
While any sort of travel during Thanksgiving week comes with its share of inconveniences and headaches, people who are driving through five East Coast states could see some very sizable discounts at the gas pump.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Although 10% doesn’t seem like a very deep discount, Apple products rarely go on sale.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023
Then came the email invitation from AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons, inviting me to join and take advantage of the multiple discounts.
—WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023
Verb
The pink Lightning port version is also discounted to $20 right now.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2023
Stunning fragrances from Maison Margiela Replica are discounted too.
—Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
Right now, everything from Ugg mini boots to cozy slippers are discounted with prices starting at just $53.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023
Luckily, this cozy jacket—and several other styles—are heavily discounted as part of the brand's Black Friday sale.
—Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023
Options from Face Gym (which basically renewed my skin) are discounted.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target are already discounting these top brands.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023
The retail company has also started offering free coffees and discounted food to police officers as a way to deter crime in its stores.
—Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2023
Some types of consumer electronics are already discounted more than a month before Christmas Day, but retailers are expected to roll out the sweetest deals of the year during the traditional price-slashing window between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
Adjective
But that’s still a discount-rack price for a car that cost around $110,000 when new.
—Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 5 May 2022
At the gate only are discount senior tickets for $8, a weekend pass for $25 and a four-to-a-car admission of $55.
—Kathy Cichon, chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2021
The stories energized widespread discussion of the lab-leak theory on social media, which quickly became meshed with theories about bioweapons research — a strain of speculation that scientists still strongly discount.
—Washington Post, 10 June 2021
Select facial cleansers, serums, and moisturizers are marked 30 percent off, including this $8 (post-discount) gem.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Apr. 2021
Black Friday isn't the only discount day worth counting down to.
—Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 7 Jan. 2020
According to BBC News’ Helen Briggs, the research doesn’t fully discount climate change’s contribution to cave bears’ extinction.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 16 Aug. 2019
And discount German grocery chain Aldi is growing rapidly in the United States.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 27 June 2019
Businesses from Phoenix to Gilbert to Surprise are offering free or almost free food and free or discount admission into museums and aqariums for Mother's Day.
—Georgann Yara and Sonja Haller, azcentral, 8 May 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discount.' 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
Verb, Noun, and Adjective
modification of French décompter, from Old French desconter, from Medieval Latin discomputare, from Latin dis- + computare to count — more at count
First Known Use
Noun
1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1621, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Adjective
1854, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing discount
Dictionary Entries Near discount
Cite this Entry
“Discount.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discount. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
discount
1 of 2 noun
dis·count
ˈdis-ˌkau̇nt
: an amount taken off a regular price
a ten percent discount for all employees
discount
2 of 2 verb
dis·count
ˈdis-ˌkau̇nt
dis-ˈkau̇nt
dis-ˈkau̇nt
1
a
: to lower the amount of a bill, debt, or charge
b
: to sell or offer for sale at a lowered price
2
a
: minimize sense 2b
shouldn't discount the importance of studying
b
: to believe only partly : view with doubt
discount the rumors
discountable
adjective
-ə-bəl
Legal Definition
discount
1 of 3 noun
dis·count
ˈdis-ˌkau̇nt
: a reduction made from the gross amount or value of something: as
a
: a reduction made from a regular or list price or a proportionate deduction from a debt account usually made for prompt payment or for payment in cash
b
: a reduction made for interest in advancing money upon or purchasing a note not yet due
c
: a reduction in the price of a bond see also discount bond at bond sense 2
d
: the sale of securities that are issued below and redeemed at face value compare premium sense 1
discount
2 of 3 transitive verb
dis·count
ˈdis-ˌkau̇nt, dis-ˈkau̇nt
1
a
: to make a deduction from usually for cash or prompt payment
b
: to sell or offer at a lowered price
2
: to lend money on after deducting a discount
banks discount negotiable instruments
3
: to take into account (a future event or prospect) in making present calculations
: to give or make discounts
discount
3 of 3 adjective
dis·count
ˈdis-ˌkau̇nt
1
a
: selling goods or services at a discount
a discount broker
b
: offered or sold at a discount
discount securities
2
: reflecting a discount
the discount price
More from Merriam-Webster on discount
Nglish: Translation of discount for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of discount for Arabic Speakers
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