disbursement

noun

dis·​burse·​ment dis-ˈbərs-mənt 

: the act of paying out money especially from a fund : the act of disbursing

the disbursement of government funds

also : funds paid out

received monthly disbursements

Did you know?

Disbursement was minted in English in the late 16th century by melding the noun suffix -ment with the verb disburse (which in turn comes, in part, from the Medieval Latin word bursa, meaning “money bag”). During the 16th and 17th centuries, deburse, depurse, and dispurse were deposited in the English language bank as synonyms of disburse. Deburse and depurse were also used respectively to form debursement and depursement, but these synonyms of disburse and disbursement all quickly declined in value and were never redeemed.

Synonyms of disbursement

• expense
• cost
• expenditure

Examples of disbursement in a Sentence

substantial disbursements for research and development

the disbursement of the foundation's funds to several cancer research centers

Recent Examples on the Web

BoiseDev reported in 2024 that Americorps, a federal program that partners with nonprofits to provide staff, cut ties with Flaherty’s organization over worker injuries and complaints, and the Idaho Foodbank terminated its relationship when Astegos missed food disbursements. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026

There were special rules on how disbursements from tribal nations should be counted. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026

Enforceable milestone deadlines tied directly to federal disbursements, so money flows only when benchmarks are met. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

Money, power, balancing, and disbursement back to the county level. —Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

disburse + -ment, perhaps after Middle French desboursement

First Known Use

circa 1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disbursement

• reimbursement

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

disbursement

noun

dis·​burse·​ment dis-ˈbər-smənt 

: the act of disbursing

also : funds paid out