remit

[ri-mit, ree-mit]

verb (used with object)

remitted, remitting 

1. to transmit or send (money, a check, etc.) to a person or place, usually in payment.

   Synonyms: forward
   Antonyms: retain

2. to refrain from inflicting or enforcing, as a punishment, sentence, etc.

3. to refrain from exacting, as a payment or service.

4. to pardon or forgive (a sin, offense, etc.).

   Synonyms: overlook, excuse
   Antonyms: condemn

5. to slacken; abate; relax.

   to remit watchfulness.

   Synonyms: diminish
   Antonyms: increase

6. to give back.

   to remit an overpayment.

   Synonyms: restore, return

7. Law.,  to send back (a case) to an inferior court for further action.

8. to put back into a previous position or condition.

9. to put off; postpone; defer.

10. Obsolete.,  to set free; release.

11. Obsolete.,  to send back to prison or custody.

12. Obsolete.,  to give up; surrender.

verb (used without object)

remitted, remitting 

1. to transmit money, a check, etc., as in payment.

2. to abate for a time or at intervals, as a fever.

3. to slacken; abate.

noun

1. Law.,  a transfer of the record of an action from one tribunal to another, particularly from an appellate court to the court of original jurisdiction.

2. something remitted, as for further deliberation or action.

3. the act of remitting.

4. Chiefly British.,  the area of authority of a person or group.

remit

verb

1. (also intr) to send (money, payment, etc), as for goods or service, esp by post

2. law (esp of an appeal court) to send back (a case or proceeding) to an inferior court for further consideration or action

3. to cancel or refrain from exacting (a penalty or punishment)

4. (also intr) to relax (pace, intensity, etc) or (of pace or the like) to slacken or abate

5. to postpone; defer

6. archaic,  to pardon or forgive (crime, sins, etc)

noun

1. the area of authority or responsibility of an individual or a group

   by taking that action, the committee has exceeded its remit

2. law the transfer of a case from one court or jurisdiction to another, esp from an appeal court to an inferior tribunal

3. the act of remitting

4. something remitted

5. a proposal from a branch of an organization put forward for discussion at the annual general meeting

Other Word Forms

• remittable adjective
• nonremittable adjective
• nonremittably adverb
• preremit verb (used with object)
• unremittable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remit¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English remitten, from Latin remittere “to send back, let go back, concede, allow,” equivalent to re- “again; back” + mittere “to send”; re-

Word History and Origins

Origin of remit¹

C14: from Latin remittere to send back, release, _re- + mittere to send

Example Sentences

Lord Murphy said that while those who oppose the Windsor Framework would have liked him to have had a wider remit, he was "constrained by the terms of reference of this review".

From BBC

Ms McCanney contacted police out of fear the dogs would attack again but was told it fell under the remit of Belfast City Council's dog warden.

From BBC

Another aspect of the Bank's remit to ensure the UK has a stable economy is monitoring the health of the jobs market.

From BBC

In that scenario, Stevens and Moody would see their remits widen.

From BBC

It said it had met with trust representatives on a "single occasion" In May 2025 " to provide early advice on best practice approaches to public involvement and engagement, in line with our statutory remit".

From BBC

Related Words

• defer