# abatement

/əˈbeɪtmənt/ (US) · /ɐbˈeɪtmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abatement
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. reduction of a nuisance

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the act of reducing or stopping something bad, like noise or pollution.

For teachers: the reduction or removal of a nuisance, impact, or environmental hazard.

- The city ordered the immediate abatement of the noise from the construction site.
- The court issued an order for the abatement of the environmental hazard, requiring the company to remove the toxic waste within thirty days.

Usage: Often used with 'of' followed by the nuisance being reduced.

### 2. tax or price reduction

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a reduction in the amount of tax or money you have to pay.

For teachers: a deduction or rebate allowed on a public tax or a financial obligation.

- New businesses in the area can apply for a tax abatement for five years.
- The local government offered a significant property tax abatement to encourage developers to renovate the derelict industrial district.

Usage: Commonly appears in the phrase 'tax abatement'.

### 3. legal ending of a case

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the act of ending a legal case or stopping a process.

For teachers: the act of quashing or ending a legal proceeding or a will's provisions.

- The lawyer requested an abatement of the lawsuit due to a technical error.
- The death of the defendant resulted in the abatement of the civil proceedings before a verdict could be reached.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.