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

That total does not include contributions to two independent expenditure committees established to support Guerra, which are subject to higher contribution limits. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026

The Mandalorian & Grogu production was estimated to have hired 500 crew members, 54 cast members, and 3500 background players for 92 filming days in California and was expected to generate a record-breaking $166,438,000 in qualified expenditures and below-the-line wages. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 May 2026

With data centers the size of dozens of football fields combined sprouting up around the country, residents have protested the construction of AI infrastructure, which McKinsey projected to touch $7 trillion in capital expenditures by 2030. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 15 May 2026

Goldman Sachs analysts reported in late 2025 that companies announcing layoffs carried higher debt, higher capital expenditure, and lower profit growth than peers, suggesting the cuts were responses to financial distress rather than AI efficiency gains. —Julie Averill, Forbes.com, 15 May 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