pay down

verb

paid down; paying down; pays down

transitive verb

: to reduce (a debt) by repaying in part

Examples of pay down 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.
Federal stimulus payments helped consumers pay down debts and boost savings. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 The outlet noted that Chloe had reportedly paid down on her loan and only owed approximately $200 at the time of her death. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 GamFin offers financial counseling, including help with budgeting and paying down debt, to anyone from a family in which one member has a gambling addiction. Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 This year, Occidental has been selling off some of its assets in the Permian Basin to generate $950 million to pay down debt. Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay down

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pay down was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Pay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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