reimburse

[ree-im-burs]

verb (used with object)

reimbursed, reimbursing 

1. to make repayment to for expense or loss incurred.

   The insurance company reimbursed him for his losses in the fire.

   Synonyms: redress, recoup, indemnify, remunerate, recompense

2. to pay back; refund; repay.

reimburse

/ ˌriːɪmˈbɜːs /

verb

1. (tr) to repay or compensate (someone) for (money already spent, losses, damages, etc)

   your fare will be reimbursed after your interview

Other Word Forms

• reimbursable adjective
• reimbursement noun
• reimburser noun
• nonreimbursed adjective
• unreimbursable adjective
• unreimbursed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + obsolete imburse “to put into a purse, pay,” from Medieval Latin imbursāre, equivalent to Latin im- im- ¹ + Medieval Latin -bursāre, derivative of bursa “bag” ( purse )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

C17: from _re- + imburse , from Medieval Latin imbursāre to put in a moneybag, from bursa _purse

Example Sentences

Instead, he liquidated retirement funds and plowed ahead on his own nickel with the hope of getting reimbursed later.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And because California cannot be federally reimbursed for healthcare spending on people who are not in the country legally, those expenses must be covered at the state level.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s like, ‘Go do the impossible and then we might reimburse you.’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If Edison’s equipment is found to have caused the blaze, the company would be reimbursed for the cost of amounts it pays to victims by a $21 billion state fund.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She was subsequently reimbursed from the campaign fund.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• compensate 
• indemnify 
• offset 
• pay 
• refund 
• repay 
• restore