debt Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the state of owing something (especially money)
    • he is badly in debt
  2. noun money or goods or services owed by one person to another
  3. noun an obligation to pay or do something

WordNet

Debt noun
Etymology
OE. dette, F. dette, LL. debita, fr. L. debitus owed, p. p. of debere to owe, prop., to have on loan; de- + habere to have. See Habit, and cf. Debit, Due.
Definitions
  1. That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing owed; obligation; liability.
    Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt. Shak.
    When you run in debt, you give to another power over your liberty. Franklin.
  2. A duty neglected or violated; a fault; a sin; a trespass. "Forgive us our debts." Matt. vi. 12.
  3. (Law) An action at law to recover a certain specified sum of money alleged to be due. Burrill.

Webster 1913