cost

noun \ ˈkȯst \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

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

play \ˈkȯst-ləs\ adjective

—

costlessly

adverb

— 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

See cost defined for English-language learners

See cost defined for kids

Examples of cost in a Sentence

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?

Recent Examples of cost from the Web

Rosalyn has a GoFundMe page to help offset the cost of her mission.

— mallorie sullivan, Cincinnati.com, "She traveled from Louisiana to Cincinnati on a mission to hug police officers," 12 May 2018
Ironically, the cost of iron ore has fallen dramatically in the past 12 months, down 19.74 percent.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "Your Lyin’ Eyes," 12 May 2018
Its sheer size risks raising the cost of running a startup for everyone.

— The Economist, "The meaning of the Vision Fund," 12 May 2018
One of its main responsibilities is managing interest rates and influencing the availability and cost of credit in the American economy.

— emily stewart, Vox, "Trump doesn’t respect the independence of any institution around him," 12 May 2018
The contract expires June 30, and because of an increase in the standard of care the state is required to provide inmates, the cost of the contract is also rising.

— mary ellen klas, miamiherald, "A dead deputy and a felon on probation raise questions about the cost of budget cuts | Miami Herald," 12 May 2018
Plenty of patients with common health problems shudder about the costs of drugs, but the most expensive drugs typically treat rare diseases.

— jen christensen, CNN, "The 5 most expensive drugs in the United States," 11 May 2018
The addition of solar panels in California would likely drive up the cost of each new home by about $10,000.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "California Now Requires Solar Panels on Most New Homes," 11 May 2018
Kane’s office estimates the cost of dealing with the crush of habeas cases exceeds $4.2 million a year.

— david owens, courant.com, "Connecticut Courts Overwhelmed With Inmates' Petitions For Release," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cost.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cost

see ²cost

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

cost Synonyms

Synonyms

ante, charge, damage, fee, figure, freight, price, price tag;

Related Words

market value, valuation, value;

asking price, list price, sticker price;

price point, rate, tariff, unit price;

carrying charge, overcharge, service charge (also service fee), surcharge;

account, bill, check, invoice, tab;

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

cost

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 play \ˈkä-stəd\ : to estimate or set the cost of —often used with out

The project has yet to be costed out.

See cost defined for English-language learners

Examples of cost in a Sentence

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 of cost from the Web

Parking inside the park is limited and costs between $10 and $25.

— sheryl devore, chicagotribune.com, "The U.S.’s oldest music festival, Ravinia, is back starting June 1," 13 May 2018
In 1918, the first US airmail stamp, costing 24 cents and featuring a picture of a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, was publicly issued.

— BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 12 May 2018
County staff recommends a wider sidewalk after a consultant’s report showed an 8-foot-wide sidewalk along Mellonville could cost up to $350,000.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bicyclists frustrated by Seminole's lack of decision on Lake Monroe Loop gap," 12 May 2018
If Trump and Kim reach an agreement, the process could take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, Heinonen said.

— jim michaels, USA TODAY, "Dismantling North Korea nukes could be costly and take years to complete," 12 May 2018
It is claimed that the PFA Player of the Year Salah has cost Liverpool £2.5m in bonuses for his goalscoring exploits this season.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: Football Leaks Report Publishes Huge Bonuses for PL Stars Including Salah & Aubameyang," 12 May 2018
Duzetzina points to Revlimid, which treats blood cancer and costs about $20,000 for a 30-day supply.

— jen christensen, CNN, "The 5 most expensive drugs in the United States," 11 May 2018
In the meantime, consumers can do themselves a favor by researching how much drugs cost.

— sarah gantz, Philly.com, "$13 or $464 for the same statin drug? This Pa. site shows where the deals are," 11 May 2018
The high-energy game lasts about 10 minutes from start to finish and costs $5 per day session.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Riding 30 mph go-karts at sea? NCL strives for high-energy fun with its new cruise ship | Miami Herald," 11 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of cost

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

cost Synonyms

Synonyms

bring, fetch, go (for), run, sell (for);

Related Words

list (for);

amount (to), come (to), total;

command, exact;

ask, demand;

COST Defined for English Language Learners

cost

noun

: the price of something : the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something
: an amount of money that must be spent regularly to pay for something (such as running a business or raising a family)
: something that is lost, damaged, or given up in order to achieve or get something

cost

verb

: to have (an amount of money) as a price
: to cause (someone) to pay an amount of money
: to cause (someone) to lose something

COST Defined for Kids

cost

verb \ ˈkȯst \

cost; costing

1 : to have a price of

He bought a ticket costing one dollar.

2 : to cause the payment, spending, or loss of

Being lazy cost me my job.

cost

noun

1 : the amount paid or charged for something : price

2 : loss or penalty involved in gaining something

Losing my friends was the cost of moving.

Law Dictionary

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

Learn More about cost

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cost

costless

costlessly

Examples of cost in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cost from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cost

cost Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Economics Terms

cost

Examples of cost in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cost from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cost

cost Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

COST Defined for English Language Learners

cost

cost

COST Defined for Kids

cost

cost

Law Dictionary

cost

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