n.1 something that is owed, esp. money.
2 a state of obligation to pay something owed (in debt; out of debt; get into debt).
Phrases and idioms:
debt-collector a person who is employed to collect debts for creditors. debt of honour a debt not legally recoverable, esp. a sum lost in gambling. in a person's debt under an obligation to a person.
Etymology: ME det(te) f. OF dette (later debte) ult. f. L debitum past part. of debere owe