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

For years, state and local governments have courted data center projects with property tax abatements, sales tax exemptions and other incentives. — Daniel Yue, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Weed abatement and vegetation management are effective fire prevention and mitigation methods to help protect properties, stated a staff report. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026

But the option didn’t work for everyone—business taxpayers still had to file Form 843 on paper, and taxpayers seeking abatement of unpaid penalties or interest were also limited to the traditional paper process. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Testing the data center promise For years, state and local governments have courted data center projects with property tax abatements, sales tax exemptions and other incentives. — Daniel Yue, The Conversation, 10 July 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