defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā 

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

di-ˈfrā-ə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

defrayal

di-ˈfrā(-ə)l 

dē-

noun

Examples of defray in a Sentence

This will defray the costs.

Recent Examples on the Web

School choice supporters argue that families should have the right to choose what schools their kids attend, and that state funds should be used to defray costs for some families who opt out of public schools. —Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

Both numbers will need to increase to defray the running costs of a large musical. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024

Many states and insurance companies also offer incentives to help defray costs, IBHS said. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024

The family has started a GoFundMe effort to help defray costs of transporting Hidalgo’s body. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 4 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā 

: to pay or provide for the payment of

more money to defray expenses