expense

noun

ex·pense | \ ik-ˈspen(t)s

Definition of expense

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 archaic : the act or an instance of expending : expenditure

2a : something expended to secure a benefit or bring about a result

b : financial burden or outlay : cost built the monument at their own expense

c : an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

3 : a cause or occasion of expenditure an estate is a great expense

4 : a loss, detriment, or embarrassment that results from some action or gain : sacrifice everyone had a good laugh at my expense —usually used in the phrase at the expense of develop a boy's physique at the expense of his intelligence— Bertrand Russell

expense

verb

expensed; expensing

Definition of expense (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to charge with expenses

2a : to charge to an expense account

b : to write off as an expense

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about expense

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Examples of expense in a Sentence

Noun

I don't think a first-class ticket is worth the added expense. The annual fee is simply an expense of doing business. A new car is a major expense.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Most Read Local Stories The companies will be required to charge users 25 cents per ride and to explain through the application that the surcharge will go toward bike lane infrastructure and other transportation expenses. — Andrew Theen, The Seattle Times, "E-scooters may return April 26, Portland says, with new rules to curb sidewalk riding," 25 Mar. 2019 The charge related to higher costs for ingredients and other expenses that should have been recorded in previous quarters. — Annie Gasparro, WSJ, "Kraft Heinz Divulges SEC Investigation, Swings to Loss," 21 Feb. 2019 The plaintiffs want statutory damages and penalties awarded to them and other class members, as well as the providing of credit monitoring services, punitive damages, and the coverage of attorneys’ fees and expenses. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Facebook faces class-action lawsuit over massive new hack," 28 Sep. 2018 Start when your kids are young and slowly build savings for tuition, books and other expenses. — Ken Fisher, USA TODAY, "401(k) investing: 6 tips for managing your retirement savings," 8 July 2018 The village, meanwhile, is responsible for other employment expenses of the position, including health insurance, pension, the costs of training, and any other benefit provided Elmwood Park police officers. — Pioneer Press, chicagotribune.com, "Elmwood Park District 401 to get first school resource officer," 7 July 2018 The cost-sharing reduction subsidies reduce deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses for people with low incomes who buy health plans on the marketplaces set up by the Affordable Care Act. — Guy Boulton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Health insurers file suit for billions of dollars from federal government over Affordable Care Act commitments," 2 July 2018 The ballot initiative that spurred the fast passage of this bill was the work of housing developer Alastair Mactaggart, who contributed $3 million as of June 23 for signature gatherers and other expenses. — Glenn Fleishman, Fortune, "California Passes Groundbreaking Consumer Protection Act with Fines for Violations," 29 June 2018 For years, receipts show, Bell kept paying property taxes (after first putting up $33,000 to pay off Penny’s back taxes) and repairing the house ($4,000 to fix the basement and front walkway, among many other expenses). — Craig R. Mccoy, Philly.com, "A Philadelphia story: Falsely declared dead, home stolen and no one will help," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

These days, the mood at ConsenSys is bleak; it’s clear the freewheeling days of expensing $14,000 in two weeks or buying day-of Emirates business-class tickets are over, says a source. — Bijan Stephen, The Verge, "ConsenSys plans to spin out most of its startups, and it’s going to mean layoffs," 20 Dec. 2018 For the first time, Lyft has become one of the Top 10 most frequently expensed U.S. business costs this quarter, according to new data from online travel and expense software company Certify. — Rani Molla, Recode, "One way to track the rise of tech — check the expense reports," 25 Oct. 2018 Palantir fired two employees who expensed lingerie and suits, people familiar with the episode say. — Eliot Brown, WSJ, "Palantir Has a $20 Billion Valuation and a Bigger Problem: It Keeps Losing Money," 12 Nov. 2018 Top executives of Wells Fargo Securities earlier this month sent a note to employees clarifying the bank’s policies and spelling out the specific time when meals could be expensed, according to the memo, which was described to the Journal. — Coulter Jones, WSJ, "Wells Fargo Fires Bankers Amid Probe of Dinner Receipts That Were Allegedly Doctored," 30 Aug. 2018 The company said in its annual report its capitalization of those costs is limited, and so some of them are expensed as they are incurred. — Michael Rapoport, WSJ, "Streaming TV or Movie? Why It Matters to Amazon’s Profits," 8 July 2018 Team staffers also receive per diem, although some opt to decline the benefit in order to expense lavish meals. — Jake Fischer, SI.com, "The Economics of a Las Vegas Summer League Invite," 12 July 2018 In April, Kevin Cramer expensed $1,152.75 to his campaign for mileage reimbursement during the first three months of 2018, according to federal campaign finance reports. — Washington Post, "AP FACT CHECK: Rep. Kevin Cramer did drive 2,300 miles," 3 July 2018 Companies can make a lot of money at that price range and also keep their income up and expenses down. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Q&A: Land broker Stan Creech says land prices are up with oil," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near expense

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Last Updated

11 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for expense

The first known use of expense was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for expense

expense

noun

English Language Learners Definition of expense

: the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something

: an amount of money that must be spent especially regularly to pay for something

: something on which money is spent

See the full definition for expense in the English Language Learners Dictionary

expense

noun

ex·pense | \ ik-ˈspens

Kids Definition of expense

1 : something spent or required to be spent : cost

2 : a cause for spending A car can be a great expense.

expense

noun

ex·pense

Legal Definition of expense

(Entry 1 of 2)

: financial burden or outlay specifically : an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

— business expense

: an expense made in furtherance of one's business especially as part of the cost of operating a business in the taxable year in which the expense is incurred — compare capital expense and personal expense in this entry

Note: Business expenses are generally tax deductible in the year the expense is incurred.

— capital expense

: an expense made in a business that will provide a long-term benefit : capital expenditure

Note: Capital expenses are not tax deductible as business expenses but may be used for depreciation or amortization.

— moving expense

: an expense incurred in changing one's residence that is tax deductible if incurred for business reasons (as when one's job requires relocation)

— ordinary and necessary expense

: an expense that is normal or customary and helpful and appropriate for the operation of a particular business or trade and that is made during the taxable year

— called also ordinary and necessary business expense

Note: Ordinary and necessary expenses are tax deductible.

— personal expense

: an expense incurred in the course of one's personal affairs as distinguished from the course of one's employment or the operation of a business — compare business expense in this entry

Note: Personal expenses are usually not tax deductible.