debt-n; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: the legal state of owing money

Commentary: DEBT[+event][+state][+legal][+owing][+money]
NOTE: usually in the phrases 'in debt' 'out of debt'

Examples:
He went deeply in debt to buy that house.
It took George fifty years to get out of debt.
The corporation is heavily in debt and may file for bankruptcy.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: amount of money owed

Commentary: DEBT[+quantity][+money][+owed]
NOTE: can occur in the plural (unlike Sense 1)

Examples:
Their national debt has exceeded ten billion dollars.
She's managed to pay off her debts a little each month. (the amounts owed)
He lay awake at night thinking about his mounting debts to the mob.
They are proposing a new approach to pay off the Third World debt.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: feeling of gratitude or thanks

Commentary: DEBT[+event][+state][+emotional][+gratitude]

Examples:
We owe them a debt of thanks for their hard work on this event.
He felt a debt to his parents for all the sacrifices they had made for him.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3