defray

[dih-frey]

verb (used with object)

1. to bear or pay all or part of (the costs, expenses, etc.).

   The grant helped defray the expenses of the trip.

defray

/ dɪˈfreɪ /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• defrayable adjective
• defrayer noun
• predefray verb (used with object)
• undefrayed adjective
• defrayal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defray¹

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 ( fracture ), hence, expense incurred from breakage

Word History and Origins

Origin of defray¹

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

Example Sentences

To help defray the expenses of the program, the Beach Boys are earmarking the net proceeds from one concert a month to Brian.

From Los Angeles Times

Some $20 billion represents the federal contribution to California’s substance abuse and mental health services, and $1.3 billion defrays the cost of supplemental food stamps for women, infants and children.

From Los Angeles Times

One of his top customers created an online fundraising campaign, hoping to raise $20,000 to help defray some of the losses.

From Los Angeles Times

Almost all lend a hand on an ongoing basis, whether contributing to savings accounts, setting up trusts or defraying the costs of college tuition, medical bills and other expenses.

From Salon

Multiple scholarships have helped defray the cost of her education: Pruitt, who is scheduled to graduate with her MBA in the summer, has about $21,000 in student debt.

From Los Angeles Times