What does the term 'depreciation' specifically refer to in financial accounting?

The term 'depreciation' in financial accounting specifically refers to the process of allocating the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life. This systematic approach allows businesses to match the expense of an asset to the revenue it generates over time. By doing so, companies can accurately reflect their financial position and performance, showing how an asset contributes to profitability while also accounting for its gradual decline in value due to wear and tear, obsolescence, or age.

This approach is crucial for maintaining accurate financial statements, as it provides a more realistic view of a company's assets by recognizing that they do not maintain their initial value indefinitely. Thus, depreciation represents an essential concept for understanding asset management, financial reporting, and tax implications in accounting.