coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈkü-ˌpän  ˈkyü- 

1

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment

also : the interest rate of a coupon

2

: a small piece of paper that allows one to get a service or product for free or at a lower price: such as

a

: one of a series of attached tickets or certificates often to be detached and presented as needed

b

: a ticket or form authorizing purchases of rationed commodities

c

: a certificate or similar evidence of a purchase redeemable in premiums

d

: a part of a printed advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on merchandise or services

Synonyms of coupon

• ticket
• check

Examples of coupon in a Sentence

Bring in this coupon for a free oil change.

I'm always clipping coupons from the newspaper to use at the grocery store.

The coupon is good for one free ice-cream cone.

Send in this coupon for more information.

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, the high coupons from the loans mean that even during periods of stress, there’s still income flowing into the portfolio. —Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

But those 20% off coupons to buy Bed Bath & Beyond products — towels, bedsheets and kitchen and grooming gadgets — are coming back, and so is the brand name. —Howard Cohen may 14, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026

The early Memorial Day sale gives app users $50 off their purchase of $150 or more with coupon code WKNDREADY. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 2026

But many of these policies — including a 60% hike in the minimum wage and coupon programs for essential goods — are stoking inflation, Taymur Rahmani, an economist at the University of Tehran, wrote recently in a leading business newspaper, Dunya-ye Eqtesad. —ABC News, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, piece, from couper to cut — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coupon

• zero coupon

Rhymes for coupon

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈk(y)ü-ˌpän 

1

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a bond and presented for payment on a stated date

2

a

: one of a series of tickets to be detached and presented as needed

b

: a ticket or form allowing the bearer to purchase rationed articles

c

: a certificate or other evidence of a purchase that may be exchanged for premiums

d

: a part of an advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on the price of something

Etymology

from French coupon "a part of a bill to be cut off and turned in with payment," from early French coupon "a piece (cut off)," from couper "to cut" — related to cope entry 2, coup

Legal Definition

coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈkü-ˌpän, ˈkyü- 

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a debt instrument and especially a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment

also : the interest rate of a coupon

Etymology

French, from Old French, piece, from couper to cut