Entry Word: cost

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a payment made in the course of achieving a result <they spared no cost in building the kitchen of their dreams> — see expense
2 the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something <we can't afford the cost of a house just yet, so we're renting an apartment> — see price 1
3 the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal <they won the war, but at a terrible cost in lives> — see price 2