reimburse
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make repayment to for expense or loss incurred.
The insurance company reimbursed him for his losses in the fire.
- Synonyms:
- redress, recoup, indemnify, remunerate, recompense
verb
Other Word Forms
- nonreimbursed adjective
- reimbursable adjective
- reimbursement noun
- reimburser noun
- unreimbursable adjective
- unreimbursed adjective
Etymology
Origin of reimburse
First recorded in 1605–15; re- + obsolete imburse “to put into a purse, pay,” from Medieval Latin imbursāre, equivalent to Latin im- im- 1 + Medieval Latin -bursāre, derivative of bursa “bag” ( purse )
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.
BBC Scotland understands the company will not attempt to claim furlough money to help reimburse it for the wages of those staff who are now under threat.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
In California, this fund can reimburse clients up to $100,000, depending on when the loss occurred.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026
The federal check now in deferment limbo was supposed to reimburse the state for the federal government’s share of that spending.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
As a result, ICE for months has been unable to reimburse health care officials, including for prescription medication, dialysis and chemotherapy, according to redacted ICE documents first reported by Popular Information.
From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026
The college would reimburse me for my travel expenses if their scholarship offer was accepted.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
