deductible

1 of 2

adjective

de·​duct·​ible di-ˈdək-tə-bəl How to pronounce deductible (audio)
dē-
: allowable as a deduction
expenses that are deductible from taxable income
deductibility noun

deductible

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of deductible in a Sentence

Adjective The trip was deductible as a business expense. Noun 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
KidCare has no deductible or coinsurance, and maximum copayments of $15. Daniel Chang, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 Another option mentioned by brokers for people looking to lower their costs is to consider one of the two types of Medigap plans that come with a deductible, which is currently just under $3,000 for a year. Julie Appleby, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
The deductibles, now at $300 for individuals and $600 for families, would jump to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families. Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 Earnings thresholds required to qualify for the plan will increase, as will deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deductible

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun

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 2 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

deductible

1 of 2 adjective
de·​duc·​ti·​ble di-ˈdək-tə-bəl How to pronounce deductible (audio)
: allowable as a deduction
deductibility noun

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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