disburse

[dis-burs]

verb (used with object)

disbursed, disbursing 

1. to pay out (money), especially for expenses; expend.

   Synonyms: lay out

2. to distribute or scatter.

   Our troops were disbursed over a wide area. She disbursed the flowers to the children.

disburse

/ dɪsˈbɜːs /

verb

1. (tr) to pay out

Usage

Disburse is sometimes wrongly used where disperse is meant: the police used a water cannon to disperse (not disburse ) the crowd

Other Word Forms

• disbursable adjective
• disburser noun
• nondisbursable adjective
• nondisbursed adjective
• redisburse verb (used with object)
• undisbursed adjective
• well-disbursed adjective
• disbursement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disburse¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Middle French desbourser, Old French desborser, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + -borser, derivative of borse purse, from Late Latin bursa “bag”

Word History and Origins

Origin of disburse¹

C16: from Old French desborser, from des- _dis- ¹ + borser to obtain money, from borse bag, from Late Latin bursa

Synonym Study

See spend.

Example Sentences

I’m very upset with this, as I believe this means when the money is disbursed, it will count as a lump-sum distribution.

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Volunteers disbursed food containers for about 5,000 vehicles, according to the food bank.

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However, interest on unsubsidized loans begins accruing as soon as the funds are disbursed, and the borrower is responsible for paying that interest over the life of the loan.

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Funds from the swap line haven’t yet been disbursed as Treasury officials debate what collateral from Argentina can be used to shield U.S. taxpayers from losses, the people said.

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Escrow providers ensure each payment complies with the terms of the contract, disbursing money to IVF clinics, the surrogate, insurance companies and hospitals for nine months or more.

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Related Words

• contribute 
• dispense 
• distribute 
• expend 
• pony up 

When To Use

What does disburse mean?

Disburse most commonly means to pay out money.Disburse is typically used in the context of finance and business—especially when the exchange of money is formal.The noun form of disburse is disbursement, meaning the act of paying out money, or the payment itself.Disburse can also mean to distribute or scatter, but this sense is much less commonly used. (This sense sounds a lot like and means just about the same thing as disperse.)Example: The staff is upset because payroll hasn’t disbursed paychecks yet due to a clerical error.