Accounting or financial process of reducing an amount by periodic payments or write-downs. Refers to liquidation, writing off or extinguishing of a debt over a period of time.

• 一种会计核算方法,即在一定时间内按照使用年限将固定资产、无形资产的成本分期折旧,逐渐减低应付的费用。例如,工厂资产的折旧、自然损耗的折旧。