In accounting terms, what does it mean if an asset is increasing?

An increase in an asset in accounting terms means that a debit entry is recorded. In the double-entry bookkeeping system, assets are considered debit accounts, and when you increase an asset account, you do so by debiting that account.

In this context, debits represent increases in assets, which contrasts with the treatment of liabilities and equity, where increases are recorded as credits. Therefore, when an asset increases, the accounting equation requires a corresponding entry—either through an increase in liabilities or an increase in equity, depending on the nature of the transaction. Thus, the correct understanding of asset increase directly leads to the conclusion that a debit is recorded.