reimburse

[ ree-im-burs ]

verb (used with object)

, re·im·bursed, re·im·burs·ing.

1. to make repayment to for expense or loss incurred:

   The insurance company reimbursed him for his losses in the fire.

   Synonyms: redress, recoup, indemnify, remunerate, recompense

2. to pay back; refund; repay.

reimburse

/ ˌriːɪmˈbɜːs /

verb

1. tr to repay or compensate (someone) for (money already spent, losses, damages, etc)

   your fare will be reimbursed after your interview

Derived Forms

• ˌreimˈbursement, noun
• ˌreimˈburser, noun
• ˌreimˈbursable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·im·burs·a·ble adjective
• re·im·burse·ment noun
• re·im·burs·er noun
• non·re·im·bursed adjective
• un·re·im·burs·a·ble adjective
• un·re·im·bursed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + obsolete imburse “to put into a purse, pay,” from Medieval Latin imbursāre, equivalent to Latin im- im- ¹ + Medieval Latin -bursāre, derivative of bursa “bag” ( purse )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

C17: from re- + imburse , from Medieval Latin imbursāre to put in a moneybag, from bursa purse

Example Sentences

Secret Service spokesperson, who acknowledged the "critical need" for a mechanism to reimburse cities for public safety costs and first responder overtime pay.

From Salon

In June 2023, the government said that more than 200 firms had been fined a total of nearly £7m and told to reimburse 63,000 workers for failures over several years.

From BBC

And LA28 may not end up with enough cash to reimburse cities.

From Los Angeles Times

“The organizing committee is saying that they will reimburse the venue cities for their expenses, provided that they have a surplus,” said Zimbalist.

From Los Angeles Times

Separate negotiations will determine how much LA28 will reimburse Long Beach for extra services — such as trash collection and traffic management — that are above “normal and customary” for the city.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compensate
• indemnify
• offset
• pay
• refund
• repay
• restore