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

But the expenditures are necessary for her tribe to finally win its land and a share of water. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Oracle shares fell roughly 12% over the week, marking their worst weekly performance since March 2018, as investors focused on rising capital expenditures tied to AI data centers and a potentially higher debt burden. —Benzinga, Freep.com, 13 Dec. 2025

In 1990, the top 10% of earners accounted for about 37% of total consumer expenditures, Mathews said. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

Whether agency spending complies with state laws and rules is up to the Department of Financial Services, which audits and approves expenditures and cuts the checks. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

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