disburse

verb

dis·​burse dis-ˈbərs How to pronounce disburse (audio)
disbursed; disbursing
Synonyms of disbursenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to pay out : expend especially from a fund
disburse money
b
: to make a payment in settlement of
disburse a bill
2
: distribute
disburser noun

Synonyms of disburse

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Examples of disburse in a Sentence

The money will be disbursed on the basis of need. The government has disbursed millions of dollars in foreign aid.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Obligated funds means the government is legally bound to disburse that money for a specific purpose. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 The grant has yet to be disbursed to Spring Grove and, according to the Hartford mayor’s office, because it hasn’t been transmitted from the state. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 However, concerns arise as funds accumulate in vehicles like DAFs faster than they are disbursed, creating a tension within the sector. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Benefits are typically disbursed to nearly 74 million people on specific Wednesdays, depending on birth date. — Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disburse

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desbourser, from Old French desborser, from des- dis- + borse purse, from Medieval Latin bursa

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of disburse was in 1530

Rhymes for disburse

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Browse Nearby Words

disbursal
disburse
disbursement
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Cite this Entry

“Disburse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disburse. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disburse

verb
dis·​burse dis-ˈbərs How to pronounce disburse (audio)
disbursed; disbursing
: to pay out : expend
disburse money
disburser noun
Etymology

from early French desbourser "to pay out money," from des- "out, away" and borse "a purse," from Latin bursa "a small leather bag" — related to purse, reimburse

More from Merriam-Webster on disburse

Nglish: Translation of disburse for Spanish Speakers

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