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.
L.A. officials have long expressed concern that Trump and Congress might belatedly yank away $1 billion already set aside to reimburse state and local governments for security, planning and other Olympics-related costs.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
“All these extra costs that our local law enforcement have incurred,” she said, “they should reimburse us.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
In California, this fund can reimburse clients up to $100,000, depending on when the loss occurred.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026
The US tech giant, which has said it intends to appeal the decision, could be liable to reimburse millions of users.
From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026
Their homes might have been worth half a million dollars, but they still expected Armpit’s boss to reimburse them five bucks if Armpit accidentally stepped on a daffodil.
From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar
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.
