debit

1 of 2

verb

deb·​it ˈde-bət 

debited; debiting; debits

transitive verb

: to enter upon the debit side of an account : charge with a debit

debit

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a record of an indebtedness

specifically : an entry on the left-hand side of an account constituting an addition to an expense or asset account or a deduction from a revenue, net worth, or liability account

b

: the sum of the items entered as debits

2

: a charge against a bank deposit account

3

: drawback, shortcoming

Synonyms

Noun

• disadvantage
• disbenefit
• downside
• drawback
• handicap
• incommodity
• liability
• minus
• negative
• strike

Examples of debit in a Sentence

Verb

The bank mistakenly debited my account $200!

Your account will automatically be debited for the amount of your insurance bill every month.

Noun

I forgot to enter some of the debits in my bank account register.

The account's credits were added and the debits subtracted.

a $30 debit for groceries

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

It would have been assessed to UBS and passed on to Toth by debiting her account. —Robert Goulder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Pros Above-average APY No minimum balance No monthly fee Access to checks and debit/ATM card Out-of-network ATM reimbursement up to $10 per month Cons No physical branch locations Learn More View More Quontic Bank Money Market Account Learn More Quontic Bank is a Member FDIC. —Tim Baker, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025

Noun

Consumers are still spending Bank of America customer data show money moving across all our consumer spending methods — debit and credit cards, and checks — grew at a 4.4% pace in the first quarter compared to the same time last year, Moynihan said. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025

The goal is to use direct deposit, payments onto debit and credit cards, digital wallets, and other electronic payment options. —Susan Tompor, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin debitum debt

First Known Use

Verb

1668, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing debit

• debit card
• direct debit
• on the debit side

Kids Definition

debit

1 of 2 verb

deb·​it ˈdeb-ət 

: to enter as a debit : charge with or as a debt

debit

2 of 2 noun

: an entry in an account representing an amount paid out or owed