cost

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯst 

1

a

: the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something : price

The average cost of a college education has gone up dramatically.

b

: the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object

He achieved fame, but at the cost of losing several friends.

2

: loss or penalty incurred especially in gaining something

the cost of lives during war

3

costs plural : expenses incurred in a judicial process

especially : those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party

costless

ˈkȯst-ləs 

adjective

costlessly adverb

cost

2 of 2

verb

cost; costing

intransitive verb

1

: to require expenditure or payment

The best goods cost more.

2

: to require effort, suffering, or loss

transitive verb

1

: to have a price of

Each ticket costs 25 dollars.

2

: to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something

Frequent absences cost him his job.

3

past costed ˈkä-stəd  : to estimate or set the cost of

—often used with out

The project has yet to be costed out.

Phrases

at all costs

: regardless of the cost or consequences

was determined to win at all costs

at cost

: for the price of production

buys clothes at cost directly from the manufacturer

Synonyms

Noun

• charge
• disbursement
• expenditure
• expense
• outgo
• outlay

Verb

• bring
• fetch
• go (for)
• run
• sell (for)

Examples of cost in a Sentence

Noun

She attends college at a cost of $15,000 a year.

The average cost of raising a family has increased dramatically.

We offer services at a fraction of the cost of other companies.

What's the difference in cost?

They believe that everyone should have access to adequate medical care, regardless of cost.

The cost of doing business in this area is high.

We need better cost control.

Winning the war, he believes, was worth the cost in lives.

What are the costs and benefits of the new law?

Verb

The trip will cost you about $100 each way.

The project will end up costing the government an estimated 3.5 billion dollars.

It will cost you a lot of money, but it'll be worth it.

His frequent absences ended up costing him his job.

The error cost me a reprimand, but nothing more serious than that.

a blunder that has cost her considerable embarrassment

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Together, these protectionist policies would drive up the cost of goods, create sweeping supply-chain issues and quite possibly cause hyperinflation. —Jonathan Mahler Edoardo Ballerini Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024

But auctions — even at a starting price of eight figures — can be competitive and lead to bidding wars that drive up the final cost. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024

There were plenty of eligible travel dates, and the final cost came to 60,000 miles round-trip and roughly $650 in taxes to fly via Doha on Qatar Airways. —Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024

During tax negotiations, Kelly has generally wanted to limit annual costs to about $425 million. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2024

The massive scale of production has driven down costs and ignited price wars for green technologies, a boon for consumers and efforts to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels. —Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024

In 2023, Americans paid close to $80 billion in commissions at a time when financing and other costs were elevated. —Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

From there, the shuttle could be refurbished and flown again, theoretically driving down the cost of each mission. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

While others said a cooling-off of wage increases detailed in the report would nudge the Fed toward a rate cut, because the pay slowdown eases the risk of price hikes made in an effort to offset rising labor costs. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024

Verb

Mobile hotspots cost between $30 and $200, depending on the features, such as speed or power source. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

On the other hand, basal thermometers with a few more bells and whistles will likely cost more upfront. —Latifah Miles, Parents, 8 Apr. 2024

Brian Hom, who owns two locations of Vitality Bowls in San Jose, told Fortune the minimum-wage mandate will cost him $100,000 across both of his stores. —Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024

The average room in an Atlantic City casino hotel cost $180.67 last year. —Associated Press, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

Costs to enter the cannabis space vary widely, but some estimates show that just getting started can cost at least between $250,000 to $750,000. —Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

Compared to ultrasonic models, evaporative humidifiers tend to cost less up front, though that balances out with the long-term upkeep cost of replacing filters. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2024

The bus provides rides (which take anywhere from 25 to 35 minutes) between CLT and Uptown Charlotte, and one-way tickets cost $2.20. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024

The marque never officially announced a price for the track car, though, at the time of its debut, it was reported to cost between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French custer, couster, from Latin constare to stand firm, cost — more at constant

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing cost

• at a cost
• at cost
• at cost price
• at no cost
• at the cost of
• cost accountant
• cost accounting
• cost an arm and a leg
• cost-benefit
• cost cutting
• cost-effective
• cost-efficient
• cost money
• cost of living
• cost-of-living index
• cost-plus
• cost-push
• cost (someone) dearly/dear
• count the cost
• dollar cost averaging
• indirect cost
• it'll cost (someone)
• not cost a dime/nickel
• not cost a penny
• opportunity cost
• prime cost
• to one's cost

Kids Definition

cost

1 of 2 noun

ˈkȯst 

1

: the amount paid or charged for something : price

2

: the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal

won the battle at the cost of many lives

3

plural : legal expenses given to the winning side against the losing side

fined $50 and costs

cost

2 of 2 verb

cost; costing

1

: to have a price of : require payment of

each ticket costs one dollar

2

: to cause one to pay, spend, or lose

mistakes cost him his job

Legal Definition

cost

noun

1

: the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something

2

plural : expenses incurred in litigation

especially : those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party