expense

1 of 2

noun

ex·​pense ik-ˈspen(t)s 

1

a

: financial burden or outlay : cost

built the monument at their own expense

b

: an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

c

: something expended to secure a benefit or bring about a result

2

: a cause or occasion of expenditure

an estate is a great expense

3

: 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

4

archaic : the act or an instance of expending : expenditure

expense

2 of 2

verb

expensed; expensing

transitive verb

1

a

: to charge to an expense account

b

: to write off as an expense

2

: to charge with expenses

Synonyms

Noun

• charge
• cost
• disbursement
• expenditure
• outgo
• outlay

Examples of expense in a Sentence

Noun

I don't think a first-class ticket is worth the added expense.

The annual fee is simply an expense of doing business.

A new car is a major expense.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It was briefly referenced in the film Brewster’s Millions and in a joke at Homer’s expense in The Simpsons. —Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2024

Her skills as a seasoned general manager featuring an excellent record in expense controls appeared a good fit—so long as the Boeing production machine worked smoothly. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024

For instance, Acquista would enter the falsified expenses as charges for maintenance, repairs or office supplies, court records show. —Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

Trump Media stock plunged after the company reported a 2023 loss from operations of almost $16 million, plus interest expense of $39.4 million, while bringing in just $4.1 million in revenue. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 26 Apr. 2024

Each expense is listed as payment for either travel or equipment. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 25 Apr. 2024

On average, at-home care in the U.S. costs $61,000 annually, while a private room in a nursing home nearly doubles that expense. —Lisa Ling, Analisa Novak, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2024

Trump has often accused Europe of free loading on defense at the United States’ expense. —Reuters, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024

In addition, the overall cost of living, which takes into account expenses such as groceries, transportation, clothing, and utilities, is 18 percent lower than the national average. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024

Verb

Investors should consider the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. —Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2024

Nicholson expensed a seven-month membership on Nov. 13, 2023. —Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024

Fitzpatrick, the insurance executive, was able to expense his ticket for a business meeting. —Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024

There’s also confusion about which training providers should qualify, which expenses the scholarships could cover and what value students should receive from the money. —Patrick O'Donnell, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Jan. 2024

Politics San Diego faces a $167 million budget deficit as revenues shrink and expenses rise Feb. 28, 2024 Friday’s pension board meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the downtown headquarters of the pension system, the San Diego City Employees Retirement System. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024

Though the funding logjam might feel far removed from most people’s daily lives, every time Congress careens toward a partial government closure, expenses that Americans care about – from Social Security checks to travel costs – are threatened. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024

Tier members will have a chance to sign up and qualify for access to the show with hotel accommodation and a voucher towards travel and expenses through drops on the app. —Fielding Buck, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

Citi told the tribunal the issue had not been the value of the meals Fekete expensed, but that claiming meals for a partner breached its expenses policy — which does not allow expensing meals for spouses — and that Fekete had not been honest when given the opportunity. —Anna Cooban, CNN, 17 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing expense

• at someone's expense
• at the expense of
• expense account
• go to (the) expense
• spare no expense

Kids Definition

expense

noun

ex·​pense

ik-ˈspen(t)s

1

: something spent or required to be spent : cost

2

: a cause of spending

a car is a great expense

Legal Definition

expense

1 of 2 noun

ex·​pense

: financial burden or outlay

specifically : an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

— business expense

: an expense made in furtherance of one's business especially as part of the cost of operating a business in the taxable year in which the expense is incurred compare capital expense and personal expense in this entry

Note: Business expenses are generally tax deductible in the year the expense is incurred.

— capital expense

: an expense made in a business that will provide a long-term benefit : capital expenditure

Note: Capital expenses are not tax deductible as business expenses but may be used for depreciation or amortization.

— moving expense

: an expense incurred in changing one's residence that is tax deductible if incurred for business reasons (as when one's job requires relocation)

— ordinary and necessary expense

: an expense that is normal or customary and helpful and appropriate for the operation of a particular business or trade and that is made during the taxable year

called also ordinary and necessary business expense

Note: Ordinary and necessary expenses are tax deductible.

— personal expense

: an expense incurred in the course of one's personal affairs as distinguished from the course of one's employment or the operation of a business compare business expense in this entry

Note: Personal expenses are usually not tax deductible.

expense

2 of 2 transitive verb

expensed; expensing

1

: to charge with expenses

2

: to write off as an expense