Pronunciations (3)
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/dɪˈfɹeɪ/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
- Received-Pronunciation
-
/dɪˈfɹæɪ/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
-
dɪˈfɹeɪ
Pronunciation notes
- GB
Verb
To pay or discharge (a debt, expense etc.); to meet (the cost of something).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The expenses of the war, while in progress, were defrayed by executing rich men and confiscating their property.
More examples (1)
Investors, meanwhile, got back a fraction of their money. Some say Mr Meinl’s €100m bail, paid by a source in Liechtenstein, should be used to defray their losses.
In order to help defray the substantial costs involved, they then raised revenue through taking advertisements.
More examples (1)
With his legal maneuverings, Trump is showing that he also understands the implications of this election — one that could give him substantial powers as president to defray or dismiss many of the legal threats that he’s facing and to behave in office without future accountability.
To pay for (something).
Usage- Archaic
- Transitive
To spend (money).
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
Verb
bear the expenses of
- Broader terms