defray

verb

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

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 adjective
defrayal 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.
The country also offered an exemption from the 10% sales tax to defray car costs, which is slated to phase out in 2027. Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 Sep. 2024 This reluctance was on display when PG&E wanted to hike rates to defray $5.9 billion to bury 2,0o0 miles of power lines. Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 In 2024: Photo Gallery & Obituaries JD Souther Dies: Singer-Songwriter Behind Hits By The Eagles And Linda Ronstadt Was 78 A GoFundMe page to defray medical costs for Gravenites was set up in April, in part by longtime friend and colleague Barry Melton of Country Joe and the Fish. Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2024 That’s left many adult children supporting their parents and claiming them as dependents to save potentially thousands of dollars in taxes to help defray those costs. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near defray

Cite this Entry

“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defray. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!