defray

American  

[dih-frey] / dɪˈfreɪ /

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.

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defray British  

/ dɪˈfreɪ /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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 ( fracture ), hence, expense incurred from breakage

Example Sentences

Proponents say they help defray the costs of delivering justice.

From Los Angeles Times

Rooming with other wedding guests can defray costs.

From MarketWatch

That windfall would help defray the soaring expenses of college sports, which now include up to $20.5 million a year for athletes along with the sky-high salaries schools already pay coaches.

From The Wall Street Journal

For example, you don’t need to make a ton of friends to defray those long-term healthcare costs, said Jeffrey Hall, a communication-studies professor at the University of Kansas.

From MarketWatch

To defray the rising tab for health insurance, many employers push more of the burden onto workers.

From The Wall Street Journal