cost-effective

adjective

cost-ef·​fec·​tive ˈkȯst-ə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce cost-effective (audio)
-ˌfek-
: producing good results without costing a lot of money
cost-effective measures to combat poverty
Robot spot welding can be quite cost-effectiveHarry H. Poole
cost-effectiveness noun

Examples of cost-effective in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Campillo and Gloria also argued that the sales tax increase would actually save the city money by allowing officials to shore up crumbling roads and infrastructure at the most cost-effective time, instead of waiting for a crisis. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, growth in western U.S. counties in states such as Arizona and Idaho — destinations for many East Coast city dwellers who sought more space and cost-effective housing — slowed. Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Buying a bottle of premade sauce, dumping it in a pan with a few other run-of-the-mill ingredients, and calling it a day is the easiest and most cost-effective way to solve all of the above. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024 This cost-effective step will reduce evaporation and therefore retain water in the soil for the plant’s use. Kobi Bardugo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Cloth diapers can also be more cost-effective and better for the environment than disposable diapers. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 Mahan and his allies on the council respond that faster and more cost-effective solutions are needed because building low-income homes can take years and cost as much as $1 million for a single unit. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024 With these offerings, Strike aims to empower individuals and businesses with fast, secure, cost-effective financial solutions. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Although bariatric surgery has a higher upfront cost than medical management — about $33,000 before insurance coverage — it is considered to be more cost-effective about five years after surgery, according to the editorial. Mira Cheng, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cost-effective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cost-effective was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near cost-effective

Cite this Entry

“Cost-effective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cost-effective. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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