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

Under the current structure, taxpayers are responsible for roughly $200 million in public components, while the developer funds the private components, leaving the city reliant on future ground-lease payments to justify today’s expenditures. —Michelle Grau, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

But looking ahead, abating tariff uncertainty and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are anticipated to offer a tailwind to capital expenditures this year. —Reade Pickert Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026

Leeds had 48 hours less time than Manchester United to recover and prepare for this game, within a wider run of four matches across 10 days, and could have conceivably won the match, despite the obvious gulf in wages and transfer expenditure. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

Ireland is launching Europe’s first tax credit for unscripted shows, offering a rebate of up to 20% of expenditure. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Jan. 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