spend

verb

ˈspend 

spent ˈspent  ; spending

transitive verb

1

: to use up or pay out : expend

2

a

: exhaust, wear out

the hurricane gradually spent itself

b

: to consume wastefully : squander

… the waters are not ours to spend.

—J. R. Ellis

3

: to cause or permit to elapse : pass

spend the night

4

: give up, sacrifice

intransitive verb

1

: to expend or waste wealth or strength

2

: to become expended or consumed

3

: to have an orgasm

spendable

ˈspen-də-bəl 

adjective

spender noun

Synonyms of spend

• pay
• give

Examples of spend in a Sentence

I spent $30 on his birthday gift.

They spend a lot on clothes and cars.

I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend.

Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends.

He spends lavishly on vacations.

I spent my summer at the beach.

She spent eight months living in New York City.

Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend.

Our cat spends most of his time sleeping.

Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sussexes also spent time with Harry’s mother’s side of the family at Althorp House, the Spencer estate in Northamptonshire. — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Willy Kurniawan | Reuters Indonesia may have trouble meeting its economic-growth goals for the coming year, after spending 2026 on the defensive amid questions about fiscal outlays and the prospects of a downgrade from MSCI. — Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Seemingly countless millions of dollars are being spent on the measure, particularly by its wealthy opponents. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

By the time viewers reach hour 15, the staff has spent an entire shift navigating a cyberattack that forces the emergency department to abandon digital systems, a nonstop influx of Fourth of July emergencies and an abandoned baby. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -spendan, from Medieval Latin expendere to disburse, use up, from Latin, to measure by weight, pay out — more at expend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing spend

• spend/stay the night
• spend the night
• spend the night together
• spend the night with (someone)

Rhymes for spend

• blend
• blende
• denned
• end
• fend
• friend
• lend
• mend
• penned
• send
• tend
• trend

Kids Definition

spend

verb

ˈspend 

spent ˈspent  ; spending

1

: to pay out : expend

2

: to cause or allow (as time) to pass

spent the day with friends

3

a

: exhaust entry 1 sense 1, wear out

b

: to use wastefully : squander

spender noun