expenditure

noun

ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər 

-də-ˌchu̇r, 

-də-ˌt(y)u̇r

1

: the act or process of expending

an expenditure of energy

2

: something expended : disbursement, expense

Your income should exceed your expenditures.

Synonyms of expenditure

• expense
• cost

Examples of expenditure in a Sentence

an increase in military expenditures

an increase in military expenditure

vast expenditures of time and effort

The energy expenditure was significant.

the expenditure of funds for the new school

The project will require an expenditure of effort on everyone's part.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our research shows that companies with more cheap stock options invested less in capital expenditures and research and development after going public. —Brad Badertscher, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026

Of particular concern, the organization took steps to hide its money in shell political action committees and coordinated donations via individual donors while the candidates who benefited often feigned ignorance about enormous donations and expenditures. —Jesse Jackson Jr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

The brand is now repositioning itself as a lifestyle rewards program that goes beyond rewarding expenditures on rent to include broader housing expenses like mortgages. —Katherine Fan, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

Patrick De Haan, an analyst at GasBuddy, which tracks fuel prices, noted that the way to gauge the impact of gas prices is how much gas expenditures account for a shopper’s income. —Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from Medieval Latin expenditus, variant past participle of Latin expendere "to weigh, pay out, expend" + -ure

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

expenditure

noun

ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər 

-də-ˌchu̇(ə)r

1

: the act of spending (as money, time, or energy)

2

: something that is spent

Legal Definition

expenditure

noun

ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər, -ˌchu̇r 

1

: the act or process of paying out

2

: something paid out see also capital expenditure