reimburse

verb

re·​im·​burse ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs How to pronounce reimburse (audio)
reimbursed; reimbursing

transitive verb

1
: to pay back to someone : repay
reimburse travel expenses
2
: to make restoration or payment of an equivalent to
reimburse him for his traveling expenses
reimbursable adjective
reimbursement noun
Choose the Right Synonym for reimburse

pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something.

pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

Examples of reimburse in a Sentence

make sure you keep your receipts so we can reimburse you for your expenses
Recent Examples on the Web Ours broke in the move but we got reimbursed to get a replacement. R29 Team, refinery29.com, 21 Oct. 2024 That's especially true for independent pharmacies that are in areas with a high number of Medicaid and Medicare patients since in general, they are reimbursed at lower rates. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024 Currently the City Charter says the council, which is made up of council members and the mayor, shall receive a $100 monthly stipend and have any job expenses reimbursed. Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 This insurance protects and reimburses you up to your balance and the legal limit ($250,000 per individual account) in the event your bank or credit union fails. Cnbc Select, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reimburse 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reimburse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

re- + obsolete English imburse to put in the pocket, pay, from Medieval Latin imbursare, from Latin in- in- + Medieval Latin bursa purse — more at purse

First Known Use

1511, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reimburse was in 1511

Dictionary Entries Near reimburse

Cite this Entry

“Reimburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reimburse. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

reimburse

verb
re·​im·​burse ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs How to pronounce reimburse (audio)
reimbursed; reimbursing
: to pay back : repay
reimburse travel expenses
reimbursable adjective
reimbursement noun
Etymology

from re- "again, back" and obsolete imburse "pay, put in the pocket," from Latin imbursare (same meaning), from earlier in- "in" and bursa "purse, small leather bag" — related to disburse, purse

Legal Definition

reimburse

transitive verb
re·​im·​burse ˌrē-əm-ˈbərs How to pronounce reimburse (audio)
reimbursed; reimbursing
1
: to pay back (a sum lost or expended) to someone
will reimburse the court costs
2
: to make restoration or payment of an equivalent to
reimburse the employee for travel expenses
reimbursement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on reimburse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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