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

Taxpayers with a clean compliance history in the past three years may also qualify for a first-time penalty abatement. —Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

The bill explicitly allowed county commissioners, pest control and abatement districts, and public health districts to take action on rats of their own accord. —Mark Dee march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026

Johnson underscored continued investments to get the city's lead crisis under control by replacing lead service lines, lead abatement in 250 homes, and lead paint remediation in Milwaukee Public Schools. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 30 Mar. 2026

Key Takeaways Low-income retirees may qualify for payment plans, an offer in compromise (OIC) or penalty abatement. —Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 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