expense

¹ex·pense

noun \ik-ˈspen(t)s\

Definition of EXPENSE

1

archaic : the act or an instance of expending : expenditure

2

a : something expended to secure a benefit or bring about a result b : financial burden or outlay : cost <built the monument at their own expense> c : an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

3

: a cause or occasion of expenditure <an estate is a great expense>

4

: a loss, detriment, or embarrassment that results from some action or gain : sacrifice <everyone had a good laugh at my expense> —usually used in the phrase at the expense of <develop a boy's physique at the expense of his intelligence — Bertrand Russell>

Examples of EXPENSE

1. I don't think a first-class ticket is worth the added expense.
2. The annual fee is simply an expense of doing business.
3. A new car is a major expense.

Origin of EXPENSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin expensa, from Latin, feminine of expensus, past participle of expendere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXPENSE

Synonyms: charge, cost, disbursement, expenditure, outgo, outlay

Related Words: overhead; outflow; pocket money, spending money; price, rate, tab, tariff, toll

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Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer