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

That does not include money given through independent expenditure committees. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Salaries make up 54% of the district’s operating expenditures, officials said. —Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

The Univeristy of Chicago is slashing $100 million in expenditures. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The merger has been widely seen as part of the Labour government's initiative to cut government expenditure and civil service costs by 15% by the end of the decade. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 1 Sep. 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