The AI-powered English dictionary
plural down payments
(law, finance) A payment representing a fraction of the price of something being purchased, made to secure the right to continue making payments towards that purchase. examples
(by extension) Any initial commitment signifying an intention to carry out a larger future commitment, even though no legal rights or obligations are secured. quotations examples
After decades of empty rhetoric, that's the down payment that we need on energy independence.
2009 February 5, Barack Obama, My Door is Always Open
These commitments of troops, trainers, and civilians represent a strong down payment on the future of our mission in Afghanistan and on the future of NATO.
2009 April 4, Barack Obama, NATO summit
After all, when you buy a car, you're making a large down payment on future journeys - buying an annual rail pass or railcard should be no different.
2022 March 9, Ben Jones, “RAIL Supplement: Return Ticket”, in RAIL, number 952, page 26 (supplement)