cost

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯst 

1

a

: 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

costless

ˈkȯst-ləs 

adjective

costlessly adverb

cost

2 of 2

verb

cost; costing

intransitive verb

1

: to require expenditure or payment

The best goods cost more.

2

: to require effort, suffering, or loss

transitive verb

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.

3

past costed ˈkä-stəd  : to estimate or set the cost of

—often used with out

The project has yet to be costed out.

Phrases

at all costs

: regardless of the cost or consequences

was determined to win at all costs

at cost

: for the price of production

buys clothes at cost directly from the manufacturer

Synonyms

Noun

• expense
• expenditure

Verb

• fetch
• bring

Examples of cost in a Sentence

Noun

She attends college at a cost of $15,000 a year.

The average cost of raising a family has increased dramatically.

We offer services at a fraction of the cost of other companies.

What's the difference in cost?

They believe that everyone should have access to adequate medical care, regardless of cost.

The cost of doing business in this area is high.

We need better cost control.

Winning the war, he believes, was worth the cost in lives.

What are the costs and benefits of the new law?

Verb

The trip will cost you about $100 each way.

The project will end up costing the government an estimated 3.5 billion dollars.

It will cost you a lot of money, but it'll be worth it.

His frequent absences ended up costing him his job.

The error cost me a reprimand, but nothing more serious than that.

a blunder that has cost her considerable embarrassment

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Europe’s regulatory environment creates demand for solutions that can then be refined and scaled in markets like the U.S., while Japanese manufacturing expertise can help reduce costs once technologies are proven. —Nicole Leblanc, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

In the month after Gov. Gavin Newsom called labor groups representing public employees back to the bargaining table, unions announced deals in which their members could continue working primarily from home for one more year to help California reduce its payroll cost. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025

Verb

Back in 2018, the FBI learned of a hack that may have cost some informants their lives. —Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Consumers would see their energy prices rise by around 8% to 10%, and the provision would have cost clean energy businesses an additional $4-$7 billion by 2036, according to an analysis by the American Clean Power Association. —Tracy J. Wholf july 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French custer, couster, from Latin constare to stand firm, cost — more at constant

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing cost

• at a cost
• at cost price
• at no cost
• at the cost of
• cost accountant
• cost accounting
• cost an arm and a leg
• cost-benefit
• cost cutting
• cost-effective
• cost-efficient
• cost money
• cost of living
• cost-of-living index
• cost-plus
• cost-push
• cost (someone) dearly/dear
• count the cost
• dollar cost averaging
• indirect cost
• it'll cost (someone)
• not cost a dime/nickel
• not cost a penny
• opportunity cost
• prime cost
• to one's cost

Rhymes for cost

• bossed
• crossed
• dost
• glossed
• lost
• prost
• rost
• tossed
• accost
• crisscrossed
• defrost
• embossed

Kids Definition

cost

1 of 2 noun

ˈkȯst 

1

: the amount paid or charged for something : price

2

: the loss or penalty involved in achieving a goal

won the battle at the cost of many lives

3

plural : legal expenses given to the winning side against the losing side

fined $50 and costs

cost

2 of 2 verb

cost; costing

1

: to have a price of : require payment of

each ticket costs one dollar

2

: to cause one to pay, spend, or lose

mistakes cost him his job

Legal Definition

cost

noun

1

: the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something

2

plural : expenses incurred in litigation

especially : those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party