remit

[ verb noun ri-mit; noun ree-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, re·mit·ted, re·mit·ting.

1. to transmit or send (money, a check, etc.) to a person or place, usually in payment.

   Synonyms: forward

   Antonyms: retain

2. to refrain from inflicting or enforcing, as a punishment, sentence, etc.
3. to refrain from exacting, as a payment or service.
4. to pardon or forgive (a sin, offense, etc.).

   Synonyms: overlook, excuse

   Antonyms: condemn

5. to slacken; abate; relax:

   to remit watchfulness.

   Synonyms: diminish

   Antonyms: increase

6. to give back:

   to remit an overpayment.

   Synonyms: restore, return

7. Law. to send back (a case) to an inferior court for further action.
8. to put back into a previous position or condition.
9. to put off; postpone; defer.
10. Obsolete. to set free; release.
11. Obsolete. to send back to prison or custody.
12. Obsolete. to give up; surrender.

verb (used without object)

, re·mit·ted, re·mit·ting.

1. to transmit money, a check, etc., as in payment.
2. to abate for a time or at intervals, as a fever.
3. to slacken; abate.

noun

1. Law. a transfer of the record of an action from one tribunal to another, particularly from an appellate court to the court of original jurisdiction.
2. something remitted, as for further deliberation or action.
3. the act of remitting.
4. Chiefly British. the area of authority of a person or group.

remit

verb

1. also intr to send (money, payment, etc), as for goods or service, esp by post
2. law (esp of an appeal court) to send back (a case or proceeding) to an inferior court for further consideration or action
3. to cancel or refrain from exacting (a penalty or punishment)
4. also intr to relax (pace, intensity, etc) or (of pace or the like) to slacken or abate
5. to postpone; defer
6. archaic.
   to pardon or forgive (crime, sins, etc)

noun

1. the area of authority or responsibility of an individual or a group

   by taking that action, the committee has exceeded its remit

2. law the transfer of a case from one court or jurisdiction to another, esp from an appeal court to an inferior tribunal
3. the act of remitting
4. something remitted
5. a proposal from a branch of an organization put forward for discussion at the annual general meeting

Derived Forms

• reˈmittable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·mit·ta·ble adjective
• non·re·mit·ta·ble adjective
• non·re·mit·ta·bly adverb
• pre·re·mit verb (used with object) preremitted preremitting
• un·re·mit·ta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remit¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English remitten, from Latin remittere “to send back, let go back, concede, allow,” equivalent to re- “again; back” + mittere “to send”; re-

Word History and Origins

Origin of remit¹

C14: from Latin remittere to send back, release, re- + mittere to send

Example Sentences

If he fulfils his remit and wins the 2026 World Cup, would he walk away?

From BBC

His remit was to “clean up the corruption,” “end the conflicts of interest,” and “return those agencies to their rich tradition of gold standard, empirically based, evidence-based science, evidence-based medicine,” Kennedy said.

From Science Magazine

The position has a broad remit across the US health industry, including food safety, pharmaceuticals, public health and vaccinations.

From BBC

Fears have been expressed, however, that some have been acting beyond their original remit.

From BBC

Part of Thompson's remit was trying to keep young Wallaby prospects in the XV-player game.

From BBC

Related Words

• defer