What does "defray" most nearly mean?

The term "defray" means to provide payment for or to cover the costs of something. When costs or expenses need to be handled, to defray them means to take on the financial responsibility for them, essentially paying them off or reducing the burden of those costs. This usage is often seen in contexts such as defraying the costs of a project, event, or service by providing the necessary funds.

In contrast, borrowing involves taking something (usually money) with the intention of returning it later, and requesting is about asking for something, which does not relate to the notion of payment. Investing refers to allocating resources, usually money, into something for potential future returns, which does not specifically imply covering or paying costs. Therefore, the best fit for the meaning of "defray" in this context is "pay."