deductible

1 of 3

adjective

: allowable as a deduction
expenses that are deductible from taxable income

deductible

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural deductibles
: the amount of financial loss specified in an insurance policy that the insurer will not be held responsible for and that the insurance holder must pay
The deductible on your insurance is the amount of money on an insurance claim you would pay before the insurance company pays. It's what you'll be paying out of pocket prior to the insurance coverage.Steve Fiorillo
also : a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility for an initial specified loss of the kind insured against

deductibility

3 of 3

noun (2)

de·​duct·​ibil·​i·​ty də̇ˌdəktəˈbilətē How to pronounce deductibility (audio)
(ˌ)dē-
-ətē
-i
plural -es
: the state or quality of being deductible

Examples of deductible in a Sentence

Adjective The trip was deductible as a business expense. Noun (1) I have an insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Under a stop loss policy, the insurance provider becomes liable for losses above a deductible set in the policy. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 Contributions are tax deductible. Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Noun
After patients pay large deductibles, these plans protect them against costs of care. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 But those payments won’t contribute to their insurance deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deductible

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deductible was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Deductible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deductible. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Legal Definition

deductible

1 of 2 adjective
: allowable as a deduction

deductible

2 of 2 noun
: a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility for an initial specified loss of the kind insured against
also : the amount specified in such a clause compare franchise sense 4a

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