debtor

noun

debt·​or ˈde-tər How to pronounce debtor (audio)
1
: one guilty of neglect or violation of duty
2
: one who owes a debt

Examples of debtor in a Sentence

The debtor agrees to pay the debt over a three-year period.
Recent Examples on the Web Debt, History of From debtors' prison to student loan debt, six stories from the archive. JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024 By substituting for debt, social spending doesn’t just give people more monetary resources, but prevents the unique anxieties and indignities of being a debtor, even when interest rates are low. Dylan Matthews, Vox, 20 June 2024 Foreign investors hold more financial assets in the United States than American investors hold abroad, meaning the United States is a net debtor to the rest of the world. Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 In other words, the judge intends to see to it that the debtors will be given the opportunity to make their case in a crucial confirmation hearing scheduled for July 29. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for debtor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debtor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of debtor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near debtor

Cite this Entry

“Debtor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debtor. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

debtor

noun
debt·​or ˈdet-ər How to pronounce debtor (audio)
1
: sinner
2
: one that owes a debt

Legal Definition

debtor

noun
debt·​or
: a person who owes a debt see also bankrupt compare creditor, obligee, obligor

Note: The Bankruptcy Act of 1978 calls the person concerned in a bankruptcy case the “debtor” as opposed to the “bankrupt.”

More from Merriam-Webster on debtor

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