bankroll

American  

[bangk-rohl] / ˈbæŋkˌroʊl /

noun

1. money in one's possession; monetary resources.

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verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to finance; provide funds for.

   to bankroll a new play.

bankroll British  

/ ˈbæŋkˌrəʊl /

noun

1. a roll of currency notes

2. the financial resources of a person, organization, etc

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verb

1. slang (tr) to provide the capital for; finance

Other Word Forms

• bankroller noun

Etymology

Origin of bankroll

First recorded in 1885–90; bank ² + roll

Example Sentences

Big Tech has the balance sheets and the electricity addiction to bankroll what the U.S. government has spent 50 years failing to do.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

It also matters because Ellison could bankroll his son’s media deals largely thanks to Oracle’s soaring stock.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Overseas Nepali workers bankroll their families and buttress the economy, making them a key constituency in elections next week -- but they cannot vote themselves.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The universe of people willing and able to bankroll that — and who had control of an NFL team — was tiny.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Sportswriters argued that the rich event was a farce arranged to pad Seabiscuit’s bankroll.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• finance
• subsidize