disburse

verb

dis·​burse dis-ˈbərs 

disbursed; disbursing

transitive verb

1

a

: to pay out : expend especially from a fund

disburse money

b

: to make a payment in settlement of

disburse a bill

2

: distribute

disburser noun

Synonyms of disburse

• pay
• spend
• give

Examples of disburse in a Sentence

The money will be disbursed on the basis of need.

The government has disbursed millions of dollars in foreign aid.

Recent Examples on the Web

Once approved, the funding would be disbursed upfront for pre-development costs including architectural design, civil engineering services, legal fees, development services and other consulting services. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

Proposition 4 would repeal California’s ban on public financing of political campaigns, allowing state and local governments to disburse public funds to candidates. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Black said the financing is subject to multiple conditions before money can be disbursed. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Fitzpatrick has also unleashed a wave of spending in the race already, disbursing nearly $5 million, according to Federal Election Commission records. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desbourser, from Old French desborser, from des- dis- + borse purse, from Medieval Latin bursa

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for disburse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

disburse

verb

dis·​burse dis-ˈbərs 

disbursed; disbursing

: to pay out : expend

disburse money

disburser noun

Etymology

from early French desbourser "to pay out money," from des- "out, away" and borse "a purse," from Latin bursa "a small leather bag" — related to purse, reimburse