# rebate

/ˈɹiˌbeɪt/ (US) · /ɹˈiːbeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rebate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a partial refund

noun · CEFR B2

an amount of money that is paid back to you, often by a government or a company.

For teachers: a return of part of a payment or a deduction from an amount due, such as a tax refund or a promotional discount.

- The government offered a tax rebate to homeowners who installed solar panels.
- Eligible residents can apply for a significant rebate on their utility bills if they meet the new energy-efficiency criteria.

### 2. photography

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the edge of a piece of film where there is no picture.

For teachers: the unexposed edge of a roll of film, typically containing manufacturer information or frame numbers.

- The photographer decided to include the film rebate in the final print for an artistic look.
- Scanning the full frame including the rebate allows the viewer to see the specific film stock used for the project.

### 3. woodworking groove

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a rectangular groove cut into the edge of a piece of wood so another piece can fit into it.

For teachers: a rectangular step or groove cut into the edge of a machinable material, usually wood, to form a joint.

- He cut a rebate into the wooden frame so the glass would sit perfectly inside.
- The carpenter used a specialized plane to create a clean rebate along the edge of the cabinet door.

Usage: Often spelled 'rabbet' in American English woodworking contexts.

### 4. to give money back

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give someone a partial refund or to reduce a bill.

For teachers: to deduct or return a specific amount from a bill, payment, or tax obligation.

- The company agreed to rebate ten percent of the purchase price to all customers.
- The manufacturer promised to rebate a portion of the wholesale cost if the retailer met the quarterly sales targets.

## Examples

- I received a tax rebate in the mail today.
- The manufacturer offered a fifty-dollar rebate to customers who purchased the new camera before the end of the month.
- While the initial purchase price remains high, the government's green energy rebate significantly offsets the long-term cost of installing solar panels for most residential homeowners.

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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.