defrayed; defraying; defrays
1
: to provide for the payment of : pay
sold advertising on his website to help defray the cost of running it
2
archaic
: to bear the expenses of (a person)
Examples of defray in a Sentence
This will defray the costs.
Recent Examples on the Web
This could allow the state to maintain vaccine requirements in schools and even trade or sell vaccines to other states, defraying costs.
—
Eric Schmeltzer, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
The couple's families also helped defray some of the costs of their event.
—Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025
The family also has set up a GoFundMe account to help defray expenses.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
There are some ways to defray costs, though.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eric Schmeltzer, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
The couple's families also helped defray some of the costs of their event.
—Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025
The family also has set up a GoFundMe account to help defray expenses.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
There are some ways to defray costs, though.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defray
Cite this Entry
“Defray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defray. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defray
verb
de·fray
di-ˈfrā 
: to pay or provide for the payment of
more money to defray expenses
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share