Definition of cost
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something : price
The average cost of a college education has gone up dramatically.
b
: the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object
He achieved fame, but at the cost of losing several friends.
2
: loss or penalty incurred especially in gaining something
the cost of lives during war
3
costs plural
: expenses incurred in a judicial process
especially
: those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party
at all costs
at cost
: regardless of the cost or consequences
was determined to win at all costs
: for the price of production
buys clothes at cost directly from the manufacturer
cost
verb
cost; costing
Definition of cost (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to require expenditure or payment
The best goods cost more.
2
: to require effort, suffering, or loss
1
: to have a price of
Each ticket costs 25 dollars.
2
: to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something
Frequent absences cost him his job.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for cost
The first known use of cost was in the 14th century
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