defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā How to pronounce defray (audio)
dē-
defrayed; defraying; defrays

transitive verb

1
: to provide for the payment of : pay
sold advertising on his website to help defray the cost of running it
2
archaic : to bear the expenses of (a person)
defrayable adjective
defrayal noun

Examples of defray in a Sentence

This will defray the costs.
Recent Examples on the Web This reluctance was on display when PG&E wanted to hike rates to defray $5.9 billion to bury 2,0o0 miles of power lines. Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 In 2024: Photo Gallery & Obituaries JD Souther Dies: Singer-Songwriter Behind Hits By The Eagles And Linda Ronstadt Was 78 A GoFundMe page to defray medical costs for Gravenites was set up in April, in part by longtime friend and colleague Barry Melton of Country Joe and the Fish. Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2024 That’s left many adult children supporting their parents and claiming them as dependents to save potentially thousands of dollars in taxes to help defray those costs. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024 Thousands of elderly Americans survive on under $2,000 a month Long-term care insurance helps defray caregiving costs for elderly Americans who need assistance with daily tasks such bathing, dressing or eating. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for defray 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French deffroyer, from des- de- + frayer to expend, from Old French, from frais, plural of fret, frait expenditure, literally, damage by breaking, from Latin fractum, neuter of fractus, past participle of frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defray was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near defray

Cite this Entry

“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defray. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

defray

verb
de·​fray di-ˈfrā How to pronounce defray (audio)
: to pay or provide for the payment of
more money to defray expenses
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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