defray

[ dih-frey ]

See synonyms for: defray defrayed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to bear or pay all or part of (the costs, expenses, etc.): The grant helped defray the expenses of the trip.

Origin of defray

1535–45; <Middle French défrayer,Old French deffroier to pay costs, equivalent to de-dis-¹ + frayer to bear the costs, derivative of frais, fres (plural) costs, probably <Latin frācta things broken (see fracture), hence, expense incurred from breakage

Other words from defray

de·fray·a·ble, adjective
de·fray·er, noun
pre·de·fray, verb (used with object)
un·de·frayed, adjective

Words Nearby defray

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use defray in a sentence

For the northeastern states, Supreme Court rulings invalidated the ability of states to collect head taxes or bonds on arriving immigrants to defray the cost of caring for them.
The myth of ‘open borders’ | Anna Law | September 21, 2021 | Washington Post
After the emergency benefit runs out, a monthly benefit adequate to defray the cost of a broadband subscription will be needed.
Reform the US low-income broadband program by rebuilding Lifeline | Annie Siebert | April 16, 2021 | TechCrunch
In a lawsuit, the utility seeks to block ERCOT from collecting that bill and from imposing a surcharge to help defray the losses stemming from other companies’ defaults.
The fight over who will pay for Texas blackouts gears up | Will Englund | April 14, 2021 | Washington Post
That helps defray carbon-capture costs, though the plant is still proving expensive.
Obama Administration Issues New Rules Capping Carbon Emissions From New Coal Plants | Josh Dzieza | September 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
“They give grants to people to help defray the costs associated with adoption,” she says.
My Big Fat Greek Book Tour: Nia Vardalos Promotes ‘Instant Mom’ | Lloyd Grove | May 31, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

There is also talk of cuts to help defray the costs, but the details remain murky and unfinished.
Congressional GOP Caves on Payroll-Tax Extension, Ducks a Fight With Obama | John Batchelor | February 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
To defray the expenses of these magazines Newport was taxed fifty pounds, and the other three towns twenty pounds each.
A short history of Rhode Island | George Washington Greene
They have been endeavoring to collect funds enough to defray the expenses of a decent burial.
Prisons and Prayer: Or a Labor of Love | Elizabeth Ryder Wheaton
A mere trifle, I assure you; just enough to defray expenses—say—er—a hundred dollars.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York | Lemuel Ely Quigg
Secondly, because the bill is drawn for an expense, which we have no right or authority to defray.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IV (of 12) | Various
He added to his fair words a small purse of gold, to defray necessary expenses on the road, as a gratuity on the King's part.
Quentin Durward | Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for defray

defray

/ (dɪˈfreɪ) /

verb

(tr) to furnish or provide money for (costs, expenses, etc); pay

Origin of defray

C16: from Old French deffroier to pay expenses, from de- dis- 1 + frai expenditure, originally: cost incurred through breaking something, from Latin frangere to break

Derived forms of defray

defrayable, adjective
defrayal or defrayment, noun
defrayer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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