reimburse

[ree-im-burs]

verb (used with object)

reimbursed, reimbursing 

1. 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

2. to pay back; refund; repay.

reimburse

/ ˌriːɪmˈbɜːs /

verb

1. (tr) to repay or compensate (someone) for (money already spent, losses, damages, etc)

   your fare will be reimbursed after your interview

Other Word Forms

• reimbursable adjective
• reimbursement noun
• reimburser noun
• nonreimbursed adjective
• unreimbursable adjective
• unreimbursed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

C17: from _re- + imburse , from Medieval Latin imbursāre to put in a moneybag, from bursa _purse

Example Sentences

Prosecutors say he recruited straw donors—who were reimbursed for their contributions—on behalf of an associate trying to secure access to the Mar-a-Lago event for a Chinese national.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

This reimburses you for nonrefundable travel expenses like prepaid vacation packages or vacation rentals, cruises, tours, tickets and transportation.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

If you have an HSA, but paid out of pocket for healthcare costs, you can reimburse yourself for those expenses with tax-free withdrawals from your account.

Read more on Barron's

Instead, he liquidated retirement funds and plowed ahead on his own nickel with the hope of getting reimbursed later.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And because California cannot be federally reimbursed for healthcare spending on people who are not in the country legally, those expenses must be covered at the state level.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compensate 
• indemnify 
• offset 
• pay 
• refund 
• repay 
• restore