If you pay a bill by direct debit, you give permission for the company who is owed money to transfer the correct amount from your bank account into theirs, usually every month.
[mainly British]
Switch to paying your mortgage by direct debit.
direct debit in British English
noun
an order given to a bank or building society by a holder of an account, instructing it to pay to a specified person or organization any sum demanded by that person or organization
Compare standing order
direct debit in Finance
(dɪrɛkt dɛbɪt)
Word forms: (regular plural) direct debits
noun
(Finance: Banking)
A direct debit is an electronic withdrawal of funds from a checking account for payment.
More people are being encouraged to pay their bills automatically by standing orderor direct debit.
You can purchase books online with a credit card or by direct debit.
A direct debit is an electronic withdrawal of funds from a checking account for payment.
Examples of 'direct debit' in a sentence
direct debit
You do not need to worry about cancelling the direct debit with the old supplier.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Switching to direct debit means that repayments stop at exactly the right time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Set up a direct debit to pay off the debt.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Make sure you settle the final bill with your old supplier before cancelling any direct debits.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The most sensible option is to set up a direct debit that pays off the balance in full each month.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is a one-off purchase and will save you a fortune on monthly gym direct debits.
The Sun (2016)
After accepting the deal, the shopkeeper said he needed to set up a direct debit.
The Sun (2016)
I called and continued to give meter readings and pay by direct debit to avoid sinking into debt.
The Sun (2016)
I pay by direct debit so couldn't understand what had happened.
The Sun (2016)
Motorists, when they opt not to pay by direct debit, now receive a written reminder when tax is due.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Your wife did not have a direct debit on this account.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is simple to set up direct debits to move money from your back account into funds.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This meant that their direct debit payments had to rise.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Paying by cheque rather than direct debit could result in an extra processing fee.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The site will ask for details such as your address and bank if paying by direct debit.
The Sun (2014)
You claimed this from your bank under the direct debit guarantee scheme.
The Sun (2015)
They insisted on a direct debit payment plan.
The Sun (2012)
She should also pay by direct debit.
The Sun (2013)
It blamed my bank despite the direct debit being set up correctly.
The Sun (2016)
The bills are paid by direct debit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Most energy suppliers offer discounts if you pay by monthly direct debit.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In addition the bank paid one direct debit and withheld another.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
One simple way to cut your bills is to switch to direct debit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is cheaper paying by direct debit rather than by cash or cheque.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Good as long as you pay bills by direct debit and qualify for cashback.
The Sun (2013)
This can be done automatically by direct debit from another account before the money is moved outagain.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The drawback is that you have to pay the money into the account monthly by direct debit in advance.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We had two other direct debits with the company and stupidly had not noticed this extra regular amount being taken.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
As a result, direct debits over the following two years covered only his gas use.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Because they're prehistoric direct debits from my bank account.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most financial dealings were in my daughter's name and paid from her bank account through direct debit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I have not cancelled my direct debit with my bank.
The Sun (2015)
You must pay in at least 500 per month and switch at least two direct debits to the account.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He is pretty sure that donors who drop coins in collecting tins, leave legacies or give monthly by direct debit do not think so either.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
direct debit
British English: direct debit /dɪˈrɛkt ˈdɛbɪt/ NOUN
If you pay a bill by direct debit, you give permission for the company who is owed money to transfer the correct amount from your bank account into theirs, usually every month.