disbursement

noun

dis·​burse·​ment dis-ˈbərs-mənt 

: the act of paying out money especially from a fund : the act of disbursing

the disbursement of government funds

also : funds paid out

received monthly disbursements

Did you know?

Disbursement was minted in English in the late 16th century by melding the noun suffix -ment with the verb disburse (which in turn comes, in part, from the Medieval Latin word bursa, meaning “money bag”). During the 16th and 17th centuries, deburse, depurse, and dispurse were deposited in the English language bank as synonyms of disburse. Deburse and depurse were also used respectively to form debursement and depursement, but these synonyms of disburse and disbursement all quickly declined in value and were never redeemed.

Synonyms

• charge
• cost
• expenditure
• expense
• outgo
• outlay

Examples of disbursement in a Sentence

substantial disbursements for research and development

the disbursement of the foundation's funds to several cancer research centers

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, cash flow for productions has been significantly improved, with an upfront disbursement of 70% of funds at the start of principal photography, up from 50%. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025

The 119th Congress is set to oversee the disbursement of federal funds fueling longer term response efforts and will soon vote on a reconciliation package to address national spending and debt with heavy influence from Trump. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2025

The administration then notoriously blocked Puerto Rico from receiving aid and implemented additional requirements that slowed down the disbursement of reconstruction funds. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025

In other business, Regnitz announced the county will accept applications through the end of January for this year’s disbursement of Opioid Settlement funds. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

disburse + -ment, perhaps after Middle French desboursement

First Known Use

circa 1599, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

disbursement

noun

dis·​burse·​ment dis-ˈbər-smənt 

: the act of disbursing

also : funds paid out