Disbursements Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disbursements

[dษชหˆsbษœหsmษ™nts ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

financial transactions

Disbursements refer to the act of paying out money, especially from a public or organizational fund. It includes the distribution of funds for various purposes such as salaries, expenses, and investments.

Synonyms

expenditures, outlays, payments.

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Word Description / Examples
disbursements

Alternative form of 'disbursements'.

payments

General term used in everyday conversations, often referring to the act of paying money for goods, services, or debts.

  • She made monthly payments on her car loan.
  • The company processed all customer payments within 24 hours.
expenditures

Used in academic, governmental, or business contexts to refer to the overall spending or costs incurred.

  • Government expenditures on healthcare have increased this year.
  • Their household expenditures exceeded their budget.
outlays

Often used in business or accounting to refer to the initial costs or expenses involved in starting a project or investment.

  • The initial outlays for the project were higher than expected.
  • He was worried about the outlays required to start his own business.

Examples of usage

  • The company's disbursements for the month totaled over $1 million.
  • Government disbursements for social programs have increased this year.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Finance

  • Disbursements are critical for businesses to keep track of expenses in budgets, often categorized as operational or capital costs.
  • In accounting, a disbursement can refer to any outgoing payment, including salaries, rent, and bills.
  • Not all disbursements have to be cash; they can include payments via checks, electronic transfers, or credit.

Legal

  • Disbursements can refer to specific legal costs that are incurred during a case, which clients often must reimburse.
  • In the context of trusts and estates, disbursements involve the proper handling of funds according to the wishes of the deceased or legal stipulations.
  • Certain laws require detailed documentation of disbursements to maintain transparency and accountability.

Cultural Impact

  • Community organizations often rely on disbursements for funding social programs, showcasing the importance of financial support in culture.
  • In times of economic hardship, government disbursements, such as stimulus payments, aim to support citizens and stimulate the economy.
  • Cultural events often receive funding through disbursements, impacting local arts and heritage sectors.

Education

  • In education finance, disbursements are crucial for scholarship programs where funds are distributed to eligible students.
  • Higher education institutions often have detailed disbursement processes for handling tuition and grant payments.
  • Teaching students about responsible handling of disbursements is essential for financial literacy.

Origin of 'disbursements'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Disbursement' comes from Middle English, where 'disburse' means to pay out or distribute.
  • The prefix 'dis-' indicates removal or reversal, while 'burse' relates to the act of spending money.
  • The term has been used in financial contexts since the late 15th century.

The word 'disbursements' originated from the Middle French word 'desbourser', which means 'to pay out'. It first appeared in the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, the term has been widely used in financial and administrative contexts to refer to the distribution of funds.


See also: disbursement, disburser.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,774 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.