imprest

noun

im·prest ˈim-ˌprest

: a loan or advance of money

Word History

Etymology

obsolete imprest to lend, probably from Italian imprestare

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of imprest was in 1568

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Imprest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprest. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

sustain

Listen to the pronunciation of sustain

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

Are you in a 'food coma'?

The Words of the Week - Nov. 21

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Words That Turned 100 in 2025

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Popular

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

Are you in a 'food coma'?

The Words of the Week - Nov. 21