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

Failing to check abatement expiration dates creates nasty surprises when incentives end. —Allison Palmer updated February 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026

Increase Dog Feces Penalty Shall the Village of Franklin Park, Cook County, Illinois, increase the penalty imposed against any person that fails to promptly remove their dog's feces as part of the village's rodent abatement program? —Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

The court could also order the utilities be cut off to the property and revoke the certificate of occupancy, among other things, if nuisance abatement requirements aren’t met. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026

New York, Washington and Boston have property tax abatement programs, for example. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 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