Verb

begleichen

Translation

to settle, to pay, to clear a debt

Die Rechnung wurde pünktlich beglichen.

The bill was settled on time.

Er hat alle seine Schulden beglichen.

He has settled all his debts.

((sth.)) to settle sth. He has to settle the bill.

bezahlen, zahlen, tilgen

From the prefix 'be-' (makes verbs transitive) and 'gleichen' (to make equal). So, to 'make something equal' by paying it off.

Imagine making a debt 'gleich' (equal) to zero by paying it.