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

income should exceed expenditures

Synonyms

• 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

The Assembly’s expenditure records show Flora received $46,256 in stipends the first nine months of the 2025 legislative session, and $42,416 during the 2024 session. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025

With that energy density, a person’s entire lifetime energy expenditure of nuclear fuel could fit in a soda can. —Kathryn Huff, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025

That spending includes travel, food, merchandise and tickets, among other expenditures. —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

This expenditure includes significant spending to advance clinical trials – the studies that test new medical treatments before they get approved for use. —Ryan Summers, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

irregular from expend

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