disburse

1 of 2

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

disburser

2 of 2

noun

dis·​burs·​er

-sə(r)

plural -s

: one that disburses

foundations and others disbursers of research money should deal directly with universities

—S. E. Harris

Synonyms of disburse

Verb

• pay
• spend
• give

Examples of disburse in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The agency spent $34 million renovating the facility, known as BARC, disbursing money for it as recently as 2023, according to contract details. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

The last time Congress took steps to significantly change laws that apply to foundations was in 1969, when a tax reform package introduced the requirement that all foundations disburse or spend at least 5% of their assets every year. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

However, due to the current political situation in the country, these funds have not yet been disbursed. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 July 2026

Established in 1979, the division helps states disburse IDEA funding to school districts for many things, including resources like assistive technology for students' Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Verb

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