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

Your income should exceed your expenditures.

Synonyms of expenditure

• 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 union committed more than $2 million to independent expenditure groups supporting Bass’ candidacy in 2022, paying for television ads that ran in advance of the general election. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Capital expenditure is usually the dullest line in an earnings release. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

By that reading, this week’s slide might have had less to do with investors concerned about AI capital expenditures post-earnings, and more with investors taking profits before the event. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Filmmaking is big business in Illinois, with expenditures in the state reaching a record $703 million in 2025, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Film. — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from Medieval Latin expenditus, variant past participle of Latin expendere "to weigh, pay out, expend" + -ure

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