debit
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an amount of money taken out of a bank account.
n.a sum of money withdrawn from a bank account, representing a reduction in the balance held by the institution.
Simple“The monthly gym membership is a debit that comes out of my account on the first of the month.”
In context“The bank statement showed a significant debit for the mortgage payment alongside several smaller transactions for utility bills.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'direct debit' for automatic payments.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a record in an account showing money that is owed or has been paid out.
n.an entry in the left-hand column of an account, representing an asset or an expense in double-entry bookkeeping.
Simple“The accountant made a debit in the ledger to show the cost of the new equipment.”
In context“Under the double-entry system, every debit recorded in the company's ledger must be offset by a corresponding credit entry elsewhere.”
UsageIn formal accounting, debits must always balance with credits.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to take money from a bank account or to record a payment.
v.to remove an amount of money from a bank account or to record a transaction as a debt in an account.
Simple“The shop will debit the total amount from your account within three working days.”
In context“The telecommunications provider is authorised to debit the customer's account automatically on the fifteenth of each month.”
UsageUsually takes a direct object (the account or the amount).
- 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.relating to a bank card that takes money directly from your account.
adj.relating to the immediate transfer of funds from a bank account, specifically regarding payment cards.
Simple“I prefer using my debit card because it helps me spend only the money I actually have.”
In context“The merchant terminal was configured to accept both debit and credit transactions, though the processing fees for each differed significantly.”
UsageAlmost always used as a modifier before 'card'.
Antonyms
“To unlock the offer, students need to pay in £500 and make five debit card payments by 11 December.”
“They get debited every time you pass under the cameras, so make sure you check the remaining balance if you drive through a lot of these.”
Borrowed from Middle French debet, from Latin debitum (“what is owed, a debt”), neuter of debitus, past participle of debere (“to owe”); Doublet of debt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.