reimburse
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
verb
Other Word Forms
- nonreimbursed adjective
- reimbursable adjective
- reimbursement noun
- reimburser noun
- unreimbursable adjective
- unreimbursed adjective
Etymology
Origin of reimburse
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 )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“All these extra costs that our local law enforcement have incurred,” she said, “they should reimburse us.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Many state bar associations have client security funds or similar services that exist to reimburse clients like you who have had funds embezzled or otherwise stolen by dishonest attorneys.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026
FBI directors are banned from flying commercially due to security concerns, but must reimburse the government for personal use of the plane at the price of an airline ticket.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
In return for the premium, the CDS seller agreed to reimburse the CDS buyer the value of the MBS if and when it defaults.
From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026
Lyddie felt a pang as she ran to fetch the coins to reimburse Mrs. Bedlow for the postage.
From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
