disbursement
AmericanUsage
What does disbursement mean? Disbursement is the act of paying out money, or the payment itself. Because the meaning of disbursement focuses on money and payment, the word is almost exclusively used in financial and business spheres—especially when the exchange of money is formal. Example: The disbursement of paychecks was delayed due to a clerical error, causing much grumbling among the staff.
Other Word Forms
- nondisbursement noun
- redisbursement noun
Etymology
Origin of disbursement
From the Middle French word desboursement, dating back to 1590–1600. See disburse, -ment
Explanation
Disbursement means the payment of money from a fund or account. If the disbursement of paychecks at your job was delayed because your boss forgot to fill out some paperwork, you'd probably be furious. Disbursement is a noun that describes the spending or distributing of money. Governments manage the disbursement of funds to various departments and groups. The word disbursement comes from the Old French word desbourser, "extract money from a purse," with bourse meaning "purse." Don't confuse disbursement with dispersement, which means "separating or scattering."
Vocabulary lists containing disbursement
Richard Nixon's "Checkers" Speech (1952)
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List 10
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"Building Design and Construction Handbook," Vocabulary from Section 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The European Commission said it was pushing for Kyiv to receive the first disbursement in April, as it provided details of the facility at a press conference in Brussels.
From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026
After the initiative passed, Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, appointed the younger Reiner chairman of the First 5 commission overseeing disbursement of the funds.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025
A trust might provide for a $300,000 annual disbursement just for vacations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025
Drawing on this authority, Ali found Trump’s impoundment “arbitrary and capricious” and mandated its disbursement.
From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025
And he shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to his hands.
From Ku Klux Klan Its Origin, Growth and Disbandment by Lester, J. C.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
