expense

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noun ex·pense \ik-ˈspen(t)s\

Definition of expense

1 archaic : the act or an instance of expending : expenditure
2a : something expended to secure a benefit or bring about a resultb : financial burden or outlay : cost built the monument at their own expensec : 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

See expense defined for English-language learners

See expense defined for kids

Examples of expense in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of expense

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin expensa, from Latin, feminine of expensus, past participle of expendere

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

expense

verb ex·pense

Definition of expense

expensed

;

expensing

transitive verb
1 : to charge with expenses
2a : to charge to an expense accountb : to write off as an expense

First Known Use of expense

circa 1909

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

EXPENSE Defined for English Language Learners

expense

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noun

Definition of expense for English Language Learners

: 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

EXPENSE Defined for Kids

expense

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noun ex·pense \ik-ˈspens\

Definition of expense for Students

1 : something spent or required to be spent : cost
2 : a cause for spending A car can be a great expense.

Law Dictionary

expense

noun ex·pense

Legal Definition of expense

: 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 Editor's 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 Editor's 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 Editor's 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 Editor's note: Personal expenses are usually not tax deductible.