defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā How to pronounce defray (audio)
dē-
defrayed; defraying; defrays
Synonyms of defraynext

transitive verb

1
: to provide for the payment of : pay
sold advertising on his website to help defray the cost of running it
2
archaic : to bear the expenses of (a person)
defrayable
di-ˈfrā-ə-bəl How to pronounce defray (audio)
dē-
adjective
defrayal
di-ˈfrā(-ə)l How to pronounce defray (audio)
dē-
noun

Examples of defray in a Sentence

This will defray the costs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Loss of use coverage, which is a standard part of most homeowners insurance policies, can help defray those costs; FEMA housing assistance may also help with this expense. — Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 4 Mar. 2025 And pandemic-era funding — where school districts got millions of dollars to help defray the extra costs of remote learning — also came to an end this year. — Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025 Desire for incentives for relocating businesses, building conversions An effort launched by Louisville Metro Government in late 2023 dedicated $3 million to attract new businesses to the Central Business District by defraying the cost of improvements. — Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 25 June 2024 Annual tuition for the online program is $11,000, and most of Rattigan’s virtual students use school-choice programs to defray that cost as well. — Kerry McDonald, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defray

Word History

Etymology

Middle French deffroyer, from des- de- + frayer to expend, from Old French, from frais, plural of fret, frait expenditure, literally, damage by breaking, from Latin fractum, neuter of fractus, past participle of frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defray was in 1536

Rhymes for defray

See All Rhymes for defray

Browse Nearby Words

defray
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Cite this Entry

“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defray. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

defray

verb
de·​fray di-ˈfrā How to pronounce defray (audio)
: to pay or provide for the payment of
more money to defray expenses

More from Merriam-Webster on defray

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defray

Nglish: Translation of defray for Spanish Speakers

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