defray

de·fray | \ di-ˈfrā

How to pronounce defray (audio)

, dē-\

defrayed; defraying; defrays

Definition of defray

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)

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Examples of defray in a Sentence

This will defray the costs.

Recent Examples on the Web Also working to balance solvency and morality is the Rev. Donna Schaper, the senior pastor at Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village, where five congregations share a single space to help defray costs. — New York Times, "For Churches, a Temptation to Sell," 4 Oct. 2019 Free-will donations are accepted to help defray the costs of professional musicians. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "RB Library’s new season of classical and jazz concerts begins Sept. 25," 18 Sep. 2019 Recent Laguna Beach High School graduate Sydney Davison is one of 16 students from Orange County and the Palos Verdes area who received a total of $40,000 in scholarships from Cox Charities to help defray college costs. — Daily Pilot Staff, latimes.com, "Around Town: OC Brew Hee Haw brings beer and music to fair," 11 July 2019 The couple’s posts were followed by hundreds of well-wishers who donated more than $80,000 to help defray living expenses and medical costs. — Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "The extraordinary final days of a hospice leader, and what they tell us about a good death," 10 Aug. 2019 Instead, this program allows students to defray education expenses by working on campus. — David J. Nguyen, The Conversation, "5 things to consider before taking out a student loan," 28 Aug. 2019 Hotel-tax revenues have been used in the past to finance the Orange County Convention Center, defray the cost of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, build the Amway Center and underwrite Visit Orlando, the region's marketing arm. — Iliana Limón Romero, orlandosentinel.com, "Camping World Stadium $60 million renovation could bolster World Cup bid," 8 Aug. 2019 For the first time, all concerts will be free, with suggested donations of $5-$10 helping to defray the cost. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "12 things to do this weekend: Impossible Science Festival, SummerFest, ‘Forging Territories’," 2 Aug. 2019 The City of Lebanon, Ohio, billed Trump's presidential campaign for $16,191, the majority of which was to defray the cost of the city's police department for working the event, which was held Oct. 12 at the Warren County Fairgrounds. — Max Londberg, Cincinnati.com, "After last area Trump rally, host city billed him for police costs. Trump still hasn't paid," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Statistics for defray

Last Updated

11 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for defray

The first known use of defray was in 1536

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