1. to pay for or cover the cost of something
Usage: formal

Examples

• The scholarship will defray the cost of tuition.
• We held a fundraiser to defray medical expenses.
• The company agreed to defray travel costs for the conference.
• Insurance helped defray the repair bills after the accident.
• The grant will defray research expenses for the project.
• They organized a bake sale to defray the field trip costs.