reimburse

verb

re·​im·​burse ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs 

reimbursed; reimbursing

transitive verb

1

: to pay back to someone : repay

reimburse travel expenses

2

: to make restoration or payment of an equivalent to

reimburse him for his traveling expenses

reimbursable

ˌrē-əm-ˈbər-sə-bəl 

adjective

reimbursement

ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• repay
• compensate

Choose the Right Synonym for reimburse

pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something.

pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

Examples of reimburse in a Sentence

make sure you keep your receipts so we can reimburse you for your expenses

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, Infiniti’s Performance Plus program simplifies the way retailers are reimbursed, reducing the number of key performance indicators from 15 to just five, according to Castro. —Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The new version also includes a 15-day right to cure period, which means stores have that long to reimburse customers before being open to legal action. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

The canine predators killed or severely injured 27 calves in March and April of this year alone, state records show, alarming ranchers and costing the state millions to reimburse agricultural losses and help pay for fencing and other nonlethal deterrents. —Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025

For example, Dane County’s Double Dollars program matches SNAP dollars up to $20 at area farmers markets, and vendors are fully reimbursed. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

re- + obsolete English imburse to put in the pocket, pay, from Medieval Latin imbursare, from Latin in- in- + Medieval Latin bursa purse — more at purse

First Known Use

1511, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reimburse

• universe
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse

Kids Definition

reimburse

verb

re·​im·​burse ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs 

reimbursed; reimbursing

: to pay back : repay

reimburse travel expenses

reimbursable

-ˈbər-sə-bəl 

adjective

reimbursement

-ˈbər-smənt 

noun

Etymology

from re- "again, back" and obsolete imburse "pay, put in the pocket," from Latin imbursare (same meaning), from earlier in- "in" and bursa "purse, small leather bag" — related to disburse, purse

Legal Definition

reimburse

transitive verb

re·​im·​burse ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs 

reimbursed; reimbursing

1

: to pay back (a sum lost or expended) to someone

will reimburse the court costs

2

: to make restoration or payment of an equivalent to

reimburse the employee for travel expenses

reimbursement noun