What is meant by amortization in finance?

Amortization in finance refers specifically to the process of repaying a loan in equal installments over a specified period. This structure ensures that each payment contributes both to the principal amount and the interest due, allowing borrowers to repay their debt gradually. The benefit of this approach is that it creates predictability in budgeting, as the payments remain consistent throughout the life of the loan, making it easier to manage cash flow.

In contrast, varying amounts of loan payments may lead to confusion in budgeting and are generally not classified as amortization. Taking out multiple loans for investment does not pertain to the concept of amortization but rather reflects borrowing strategies. Likewise, predicting future cash flows is related to financial forecasting and planning rather than the repayment structure of debt. Therefore, the definition that aligns with amortization is the repayment of a loan using equal payments over time.