cred·it / ˈkredit/ • n. 1. the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future. ∎  the money lent or made available under such an arrangement: the bank refused to extend their credit | [as adj.] exceeding his credit limit. 2. an entry recording a sum received, listed on the right-hand side or column of an account.The opposite of debit. ∎  a payment received.3. public acknowledgment or praise, typically that given or received when a person's responsibility for an action or idea becomes or is made apparent: the president claims credit for each accomplishment. ∎  [in sing.] a source of pride, typically someone or something that reflects well on another person or organization: he's a credit to his mother. ∎  (usu. credits) an acknowledgment of a contributor's services to a movie or a television program, typically one of a list that is scrolled down the screen at the beginning or end of a movie or program.4. the acknowledgment of a student's completion of a course that counts toward a degree or diploma as maintained in a school's records: a student can earn one unit of academic credit. ∎  a unit of study counting toward a degree or diploma: in his first semester he earned 17 credits. ∎  acknowledgment of merit in an examination which is reflected in the grades awarded: students will receive credit for accuracy.5. archaic the quality of being believed or credited: the philosophy of Cicero has lost its credit. ∎  favorable estimation; good reputation.• v. (cred·it·ed, cred·it·ing) [tr.] (often be credited) 1. publicly acknowledge someone as a participant in the production of (something published or broadcast). ∎  (credit someone with) ascribe (an achievement or good quality) to someone.2. add (an amount of money) to an account.3. believe (something surprising or unlikely).PHRASES: do someone credit (or do credit to someone) make someone worthy of praise or respect: your concern does you credit.give someone credit for commend someone for (a quality or achievement), esp. with reluctance or surprise: please give me credit for some sense.have something to one's credit have achieved something notable: he has 65 tournament wins to his credit.on credit with an arrangement to pay later.to one's credit used to indicate that something praiseworthy has been achieved, esp. despite difficulties: to her credit, she had never betrayed a confidence.ORIGIN: mid 16th cent. (originally in the senses ‘belief,’ ‘credibility’): from French crédit, probably via Italian credito from Latin creditum, neuter past participle of credere ‘believe, trust.’