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

Shares of the Google parent fell 7% on Thursday, as investors focused on Alphabet's decision to once again increase its capital expenditures (capex) outlook. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 25 July 2026

In addition, chip shortages due to the AI boom have resulted in price hikes for consumer electronics, with hyperscalers showing no signs that their capital expenditure frenzy is cooling off. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Another independent expenditure group, ImpactCT, is spending on digital ads and mailers in support of Bronin that touch on the same themes around corporate PAC money, as well as his support for a ban on congressional stock trading. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

That raises the question of whether their expenditures will ever be matched by the spending that companies and individuals will do to use generative artificial intelligence. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 24 July 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