What does "defray" mean?

To pay or discharge (a debt, expense etc.); to meet (the cost of something).

What is a synonym for "defray"?

Common synonyms include: acknowledge, bear the expense, chip in, clear, cover, defray expenses.

/dɪˈfɹeɪ/ verb

verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Verb

1
To pay or discharge (a debt, expense etc.); to meet (the cost of something). transitive
"The expenses of the war, while in progress, were defrayed by executing rich men and confiscating their property."
2
bear the expenses of wordnet
3
To pay for (something). archaic, transitive
4
To spend (money). obsolete, transitive

"Families want to educate their children and can, in principle, defray the costs with the greater incomes that education generates."

From Middle French desfrayer, French défrayer, from dé- + Old French fraier (“to spend”).