defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā 

dē-

defrayed; defraying; defrays

transitive verb

1

: to provide for the payment of : pay

sold advertising on the 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

Until recently, Oklahomans could apply for funds to help defray the costs of installing a tornado safe room on their property. —Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026

Installation costs can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, which is why most federal and state policies promoting heat pump adoption have focused on defraying them. —Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026

Local leaders often do their best to preserve open space and defray the costs that new residents and businesses will inevitably bring. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026

These costs are defrayed by the consumption tax—which Takaichi promises to slash on food—and by income taxes paid by a shrinking labor force. —Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for defray

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

defray

verb

de·​fray di-ˈfrā 

: to pay or provide for the payment of

more money to defray expenses