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

• 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

Although the payments are substantial, details on the family's exact remaining wealth after settlement disbursements have not been disclosed by the parties involved. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

From there, it’s expected states will manage the program and determine the schedule for applications and disbursements. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025

It’s also added new tools in risk, compliance, and disbursement. —Ellen Sheng, CNBC, 10 June 2025

In March, though Congress had approved MBN’s budget through the end of the 2025 fiscal year, Lake blocked the disbursement to MBN a few hours later. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

disburse + -ment, perhaps after Middle French desboursement

First Known Use

circa 1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disbursement

• reimbursement

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Kids Definition

disbursement

noun

dis·​burse·​ment dis-ˈbər-smənt 

: the act of disbursing

also : funds paid out