debit

To record an amount charged to an account, often by taking money from it.

• They debit my account each month.
• The bank debited the fee yesterday.
• Will you debit the payment from my account?

How to use it: debit an account with something (The bank debited my account with the annual fee.); debit something from an account (They debited twenty pounds from my account.)

Similar words: charge

Opposites: credit

Common phrases: debit an account, debit someone’s account

To enter money someone owes a business on the left side of an account.

• Debit the receivable when recording the sale.
• The accountant debited accounts receivable for the unpaid invoice.
• We debit the customer’s account before the payment arrives.

How to use it: debit an account for something (Debit accounts receivable for the amount owed by the customer.)

Opposites: credit

Common phrases: debit accounts receivable, debit the receivable

An amount recorded on the left side of an account, often showing money owed or spent.

• Enter the amount as a debit.
• The accountant checked each debit in the ledger.
• The debit column showed several new entries.

Similar words: debit entry

Opposites: credit

Common phrases: debit entry, debit column