disbursement
noun
dis·burse·ment
dis-ˈbərs-mənt
: the act of paying out money especially from a fund : the act of disbursing
the disbursement of government funds
also
: funds paid out
received monthly disbursements
Did you know?
Disbursement was minted in English in the late 16th century by melding the noun suffix -ment with the verb disburse (which in turn comes, in part, from the Medieval Latin word bursa, meaning “money bag”). During the 16th and 17th centuries, deburse, depurse, and dispurse were deposited in the English language bank as synonyms of disburse. Deburse and depurse were also used respectively to form debursement and depursement, but these synonyms of disburse and disbursement all quickly declined in value and were never redeemed.
Cite this Entry
“Disbursement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disbursement. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.
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