prepay

1 of 2

verb

pre·​pay (ˌ)prē-ˈpā 

prepaid (ˌ)prē-ˈpād  ; prepaying

transitive verb

: to pay or pay the charge on in advance

prepayment

(ˌ)prē-ˈpā-mənt 

noun

prepayment

2 of 2

noun

pre·​payment "+ 

: payment in advance

Examples of prepay in a Sentence

Verb

Special orders must be prepaid.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Procura will receive funding through a bank syndicate led by JPMorgan Chase and Banco Santander to prepay select suppliers on behalf of GM. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Federal law does prohibit surcharges on cash, prepaid and debit card transactions, however. — Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

Cruisers can usually prepay them before sailing, which helps to avoid a surprise at the end of the trip. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Previously, Buc-ee's customers could prepay with bank cards (debit or credit), cash or gift cards inside chain locations. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

pre- + payment

First Known Use

Verb

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prepay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

prepay

verb

pre·​pay (ˈ)prē-ˈpā 

prepaid -ˈpād  ; prepaying

: to pay or pay for in advance

prepayment

-ˈpā-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

prepay

transitive verb

pre·​pay prē-ˈpā 

prepaid; prepaying

: to pay or pay the charge on in advance (as of date due or maturity date)

no penalty for prepaying your student loan

prepayment noun