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

• disburse
• drop
• expend
• fork (over, out, or up)
• give
• lay out
• outlay
• pay
• shell out

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 trial has thrust allegations of illegality into the center of the 2024 presidential campaign, as Trump spends his days in a Manhattan courtroom to fight off one of the four criminal cases against him. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024

Together, the Heeler family spends most episodes tackling the simple challenges of life (getting yard work down, trash day, or simply just trying to get out the door). —Joe Otterson, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024

The Davises and the Clarks are spending time getting to know each other. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024

Law enforcement personnel spend time and resources to investigate their veracity. —The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024

Records show Anderson spent time there the night of his date with Robinson. —Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024

Address: Cra 10# 82-66, Bogotá Located between Paris and Bogota, Eleonora Morales opened Garage Sale with her mother, Luz Marina, after spending years in the fashion industry (including Vogue Latin America). —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024

During school breaks, David Ellison and his sister spent time with their father sailing around the world on his super yacht, Ronin. —Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Stress-free time to spend with Mom now that dessert is done and ready to be devoured. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024

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)

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