defray

American  

[dih-frey] / dɪˈfreɪ /

verb (used with object)

defrays, present (3rd person singular) defrayed, past participle, past defraying present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• defraying
  present
• defrayed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• defray
  simple
• defrays
  simple
• have defrayed
  perfect
• has defrayed
  perfect
• am defraying
  progressive
• are defraying
  progressive
• is defraying
  progressive
• have been defraying
  perfect progressive
• has been defraying
  perfect progressive

Past

• defrayed
  simple
• had defrayed
  perfect
• was defraying
  progressive
• were defraying
  progressive
• had been defraying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will defray
  simple
• will have defrayed
  perfect
• will be defraying
  progressive
• will have been defraying
  perfect progressive

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 ( see fracture), hence, expense incurred from breakage

Explanation

If your mother says she will defray the cost of your next move, say thank you. She means she will take on some of the expenses for you. Your school band might hold a bake sale fundraiser to defray the cost of new band uniforms. When they do this, the amount raised will be taken off the total cost of the uniforms so that each individual band member has to pay less. If you live in New York and are invited for a job interview in California, the company may defray the expenses of your plane ticket and hotel, especially if they really want to hire you.

Example Sentences

That amount is an increase to the $30 million that he earlier proposed be spent this year and next to defray those costs for Covered California enrollees, according to state officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Those subsidies helped defray the cost of ACA coverage for millions of Americans.

From MarketWatch • May 30, 2026

And, in fact, it is easier to offer small raises when inflation is higher—which keeps real wage growth suppressed and helps defray some labor cost and reduce the need for mass layoffs.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The price adjustments "defray" but do not fully cover the increase in costs, the spokesperson said.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

My stipend was a predetermined amount of money—based on world ranking—to defray the cost of training expenses.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad