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

To defray costs, the air district will provide rebates to assist homeowners and businesses installing zero-emission water heaters. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

Do the Panthers get money from the legalization of sports gambling in North Carolina that could help defray the cost? —Staff Reports, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2024

And states can help defray the costs by continuing to offer incentives to get more people in the saddle and riding. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 29 May 2024

For the first time in 20 years, admission will be charged to defray the costs of putting on the festival and boost the scholarship fund. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 22 May 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