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

James Massey, Englewood Elitism is on full display in The Denver Post editorial about an issue of expenditures in Cherry Creek Schools. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026

Mahan also has the backing of two independent expenditure committees funded largely by tech leaders and other wealthy investors. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026

Campa-Najjar, like other candidates, also is backed by independent expenditure committees. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Other Big Tech firms, including Amazon and Oracle, have undergone layoffs amid the AI expenditure boom. —Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 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