What does remitting mean?
Remitting most commonly means sending money, especially as a payment that the sender is responsible for transferring to another person or institution. A company, government, or individual may remit taxes, fees, wages, grants, or other funds. The verb can also have broader formal meanings: it may refer to transmitting a message or report, forgiving an offense, or diminishing the intensity of a condition or dispute. Its several senses connect through the idea of sending something back or transferring something from one party to another. Although “send” is often sufficient in everyday speech, “remit” is especially appropriate when the transfer is official, recurring, or governed by a formal procedure. The associated noun “remittance” denotes the money sent or the act of sending it.
To send money or payment, especially as an official or recurring transfer.
"The company remits income tax to the tax authority each month."
Common in finance, taxation, payroll, and administrative contexts.
To transmit or deliver a message, report, or proposal, especially in an official context.
"The commission remitted its recommendations to the government."
This sense is formal and is common in official and legal prose.
To forgive or pardon someone for an offense or offense.
"The court remitted the sentence of the convicted prisoner."
This is a formal and relatively uncommon sense; it can also refer to reducing a punishment or obligation.
To become less intense, severe, or painful.
"The storm gradually remitted after midnight."
Chiefly formal or literary, and often used of pain, symptoms, conflict, or adverse conditions.
A remittance is money on its way; a remitter is the person or organization that sends it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remitting come from?
The word comes from Latin remittere, formed from re- “back” and mittere “send,” meaning “to send back.” In English it developed both financial and figurative senses, including sending money, transmitting a message, and forgiving or releasing someone from an obligation. Its relatives include remittance, remission, and remitter.
Related word forms
How remitting is actually used
The financial sense is standard in British and American English. The senses involving messages, forgiveness, and reduced severity are more formal and literary.