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

Under previous administrations, the FEMA administrator was able to personally sign off on large expenditures, according to Deanne Criswell, who led the agency under the Biden administration. —Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025

Senate Bill 213 creates more transparency by requiring state agencies to report on advertising expenditures annually, beginning Jan. 1. Carbon sequestration in the Mahomet Aquifer is banned beginning Jan. 1, and with Senate Bill 1723, the Mahomet Aquifer Advisory Study Commission is created. —Greg Bishop, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2025

The personal consumption expenditures report showed core inflation accelerated to 2.8%, further above the Fed’s 2% target, and that consumer spending rose less than expected in June. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2025

The personal consumption expenditures price index, a measure of consumer spending on goods and services, rose 2.6% from a year ago. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 31 July 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