rebate

1 of 3

verb

re·​bate ˈrē-ˌbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)
ri-ˈbāt
rebated; rebating
Synonyms of rebatenext

transitive verb

1
: to reduce the force or activity of : diminish
2
: to reduce the sharpness of : blunt
3
a
: to make a rebate of
b
: to give a rebate to

intransitive verb

: to give rebates
rebater noun

rebate

2 of 3

noun

re·​bate ˈrē-ˌbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)
: a return of a part of a payment

rebate

3 of 3
re·​bate ˈra-bət How to pronounce rebate (audio) ˈrē-ˌbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)

chiefly British spelling of

Examples of rebate in a Sentence

Noun There is a $50 rebate offered with the printer.
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.
Verb
The league has to rebate these payments back once the lockout is settled, but rights fees flowing in buffer the owners in a war of attrition with the players. — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Between 2019 and 2021, the city of Waukegan offered a water bill rebate to a select group of residents. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Noun
Time’s explainer notes that current law confines claims to importers of record and customs brokers, and that any broad household compensation would likely have to come through a tax credit or dedicated rebate program enacted by Congress. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Experts say simple changes at home and taking advantage of utility rebates and energy efficiency programs will lower costs. — Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French rebatre, rabatre to beat back, deduct, from re- + abatre to strike down, from a- (from Latin ad-) + batre to beat, from Latin battuere

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebate was in the 14th century

Rhymes for rebate

See All Rhymes for rebate

Browse Nearby Words

rebarbative
rebate
rebatement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebate. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rebate

1 of 2 verb
re·​bate ˈrē-ˌbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)
ri-ˈbāt
rebated; rebating
: to make a rebate of : give as a rebate

rebate

2 of 2 noun
re·​bate ˈrē-ˌbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)
: a return of part of a payment or an amount owed

Legal Definition

rebate

noun
re·​bate ˈrē-ˌbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)
: a refund or deduction of part of a payment, price, or charge
rebate
ˈrē-ˌbāt, ri-ˈbāt How to pronounce rebate (audio)
verb

More from Merriam-Webster on rebate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rebate

Nglish: Translation of rebate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rebate

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