depreciation

[ dih-pree-shee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. decrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc.
2. such a decrease as allowed in computing the value of property for tax purposes.
3. a decrease in the purchasing or exchange value of money.
4. a lowering in estimation.

depreciation

/ dɪˌpriːʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. accounting
   1. the reduction in value of a fixed asset due to use, obsolescence, etc
   2. the amount deducted from gross profit to allow for such reduction in value
2. accounting a modified amount permitted for purposes of tax deduction
3. the act or an instance of depreciating or belittling; disparagement
4. a decrease in the exchange value of currency against gold or other currencies brought about by excess supply of that currency under conditions of fluctuating exchange rates Compare devaluation

depreciation

1. A decline over time in the value of a tangible asset , such as a house or car.

Other Words From

• nonde·preci·ation noun
• prede·preci·ation noun
• rede·preci·ation noun
• under·de·preci·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of depreciation¹

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40; depreciate + -ion

Example Sentences

In some parts of the country, there may not be enough gains from those two periods to qualify for the full $250,000-per-owner exclusion, especially after accounting for the depreciation recapture, which requires landlords to pay back the depreciation tax break when they sell a rental property.

From Los Angeles Times

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization dropped 16% to nearly $1.8 billion compared to $2.15 billion in the year-earlier period.

From Los Angeles Times

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization fell 16% to nearly $1.8 billion compared to $2.1 billion in the year-earlier period.

From Los Angeles Times

Desperate to halt a money crisis underlining the country’s economic troubles, the government launched the gold-backed ZiG, the latest attempt to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, which had been battered by depreciation and often outright rejection by people unwilling to put their faith in it.

From Seattle Times

Most run according to a combination of budget cycles, maintenance and depreciation schedules, accounting rules and plain old obsolescence.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• deflation
• reduction
• slump