1
: the act or process of reducing or otherwise abating something
abatement of pollution
: the state of being abated
a storm continuing without abatement [=without weakening]
2
: an amount abated
especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax
… devised tax credits, refunds, and abatements to benefit private corporations … William Greider

Examples of abatement in a Sentence

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.
On Tuesday, Lynn Shipman, an unhoused resident living at the future abatement site, appeared at the San Jose City Council to ask about the city’s plans and to petition city leaders to use their power to delay the abatement. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025 Importantly, the act of filing demonstrates a willingness to comply, which may work in your favor when seeking penalty abatement or negotiating a payment plan later. True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 To be clear, mosquito abatement is a vital public health service, as are many of the other services offered by Illinois’ thousands of government bodies. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 The company's strategy aims to combine cost efficiencies and risk abatements with potential patent protections. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abatement

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from abatre "to abate" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abatement was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abatement. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: the act or process of abating : the state of being abated
2
: an amount abated (as from a tax)

Legal Definition

1
: the act or process of abating or the state of being abated
challenged the abatement of her bequest
abatement of a private nuisance by self-help W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
2
: an amount abated : deduction
especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax

More from Merriam-Webster on abatement

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