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

State and county officials, along with community members, are evaluating data center proposals and rightly demanding greater disclosures from developers, proper siting and permitting, abatement of noise pollution and restrictions on water usage. —Todd Larsen, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026

Funds could support methane abatement, infrastructure to ameliorate floods and rising temperatures, and assistance for regions dependent on fossil fuels — without waiting decades for litigation to wind through the courts. —Nicolas S. Rohatyn, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

An August disciplinary letter obtained via public records request showed that the botched carpet removal caused $22,000 in damages, with the majority of the cost attributed to asbestos abatement and removal. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Officials say lead abatement is a complicated process because contractors require specialized certification and containment systems. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 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