debt

noun

1
: something owed : obligation
unable to pay off his debts
owe them a debt of gratitude
a criminal's debt to society
2
: a state of being under obligation to pay or repay someone or something in return for something received : a state of owing
deeply in debt to creditors
3
law and business : the common-law action for the recovery of money held to be due
4
: sin, trespass
Forgive us our debts.
debtless adjective

Examples of debt in a Sentence

He is trying to pay off gambling debts. The company has run up huge debts. Their debts are piling up. He's been working three jobs in an attempt to get out of debt. The company was in debt but is now turning a profit. I am deep in debt. I'm thousands of dollars in debt. She went into debt to pay for college. I'm worried that we will fall into debt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet if the revenue forecasts are accurate, this debt should become more manageable over time. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The federal government is both the architect and the only entity capable of paying this long-overdue debt. Essence, 15 June 2025 One aggressive legislative package, which already passed the U.S. House of Representatives, would significantly curb eligibility for Pell Grants (federal subsidies that help low-income people pay for college) and fine schools for leaving students with debt. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 14 June 2025 One of those candidates, Ramos, is looking especially down for the count, with her latest campaign finance disclosure showing her nearly $100,000 in debt after raising only around $6,000 in the latest reporting window. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for debt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dette, debte, from Anglo-French dette something owed, from Vulgar Latin *debita, from Latin, plural of debitum debt, from neuter of debitus, past participle of debēre to owe, from de- + habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of debt was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debt. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

debt

noun
1
2
: something owed to another : a thing or amount due
pay a debt of $10
3
: a condition of owing
hopelessly in debt

Legal Definition

debt

noun
1
: something owed: as
a
: a specific sum of money or a performance due another especially by agreement (as a loan agreement)
to pay the debts…of the United StatesU.S. Constitution art. I
a debt for alimony
b
: an obligation to pay or perform on another's claim
discharged the debt
compare asset, equity sense 4

Note: It is often up to the courts to decide what is or is not a debt under various laws. Courts disagree whether criminal restitution is a debt under the Bankruptcy Code.

antecedent debt
: debt that is incurred prior to a property transfer paying or securing the debt compare preference
bad debt
: a debt that cannot be collected

Note: An income tax deduction is allowed for bad debts.

consumer debt
: debt that is incurred by an individual primarily for the purchase of consumer goods or services compare consumer credit
judgment debt
: a debt established by a judgment and enforceable by a legal process (as an execution of judgment or attachment)
c
: a state of owing
in debt
d
: the aggregate of money owed
the national debt
2
: the common-law action for the recovery of a specified sum of money or a sum that can be simply and certainly determined

called also action of debt, writ of debt

compare assumpsit, covenant
Etymology

Old French dette, ultimately from Latin debita, plural of debitum debt, from neuter of debitus, past participle of debere to owe

More from Merriam-Webster on debt

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