expense

noun ex·pense \ ik-ˈspen(t)s \

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

Examples: expense in a Sentence

Definition of expense

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

2 a : 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

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.

Recent Examples of expense from the Web

The tax credits for qualified shows could equal 35 percent of a production’s in-state labor costs, and another 25 percent of other expenses.

— jon chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "House leaders propose tax incentives for Broadway-bound shows," 13 July 2018
Instead, Washington was found to have diverted the funds to an array of personal expenses including rent payments, vacation trips and plastic surgery for his girlfriend.

— aaron randle, kansascity, "Former NBA player sentenced in Kansas City to federal prison for fraud, identity theft," 9 July 2018
But there are dozens of small expenses for places like Wendy's, First Watch and Pizza Hut.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "At last, some answers about Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Pastor's campaign finances," 8 July 2018
The fundamental reason the United States did not qualify for this latest edition of the World Cup isn't one of expense, although that's a pathetically large factor, but rather one of spontaneity.

— mac engel, star-telegram, "Soccer's other problem aside from being a 'rich white kids sport'," 5 July 2018
According to Business Insider, the rest of the event's expenses will be split between the Brooksbank family, and Eugenie's parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

— kara thompson, Town & Country, "Princess Eugenie to Wed Jack Brooksbank in October," 3 July 2018
That has to do with all kinds of expenses from labor to waste.

— samantha bomkamp, chicagotribune.com, "For restaurants, tracking food waste, costs 'could be the difference between succeeding and going out of business'," 2 July 2018
After nearly 30 years at a secure government job, Adam never dreamed that his monthly wage would barely cover a week’s worth of expenses for his family of five — let alone provide for big expenditures like a wedding.

— rachel scheier, latimes.com, "Five years after the noisy ouster of an Islamist president, Egyptians are still frustrated — but quiet," 30 June 2018
More than 100 House Democrats signed onto a letter demanding the administration provide a detailed breakdown of expenses incurred in separating immigrant children from their parents.

— lisa mascaro, The Seattle Times, "GOP set for showdown immigration vote," 26 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.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

expense Synonyms

Synonyms

charge, cost, disbursement, expenditure, outgo, outlay;

Related Words

overhead;

outflow;

pocket money, spending money;

price, rate, tab, tariff, toll;

Other Economics Terms

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

expense

verb

Definition of expense

expensed; expensing

transitive verb

1 : to charge with expenses

2 a : to charge to an expense account

b : to write off as an expense

Recent Examples of expense from the Web

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
This move violates rules that state the prime minister’s residence cannot expense catered meals while also employing a chef.

— renae reints, Fortune, "Sara Netanyahu Charged with Fraud and Breach of Trust in 'Meals-Ordering Affair'," 21 June 2018
Yet under accounting rules in place since the 1970s, intangibles are expensed rather than capitalized — unless they were acquired.

— bloomberg, latimes.com, "What's a stock worth? In the new economy, traditional accounting has its critics," 8 June 2018
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey, expenses decline on average from $55,892 for those ages 55 to 64 to $46,757 for those ages 65 to 74 and to $34,382 for those age 75 and older.

— robert powell, USA TODAY, "Separating retirement myths from retirement realities comes down to what works for you," 30 May 2018
The company expenses also rose by nearly 20 percent to $2.9 billion from $ 2.4 billion due to costs.

— ryan maye handy, Houston Chronicle, "CenterPoint posts profit for first quarter," 4 May 2018
Tax returns can be significantly reduced due to 1099 quarterly taxes, but one way to offset self-employment taxes is to expense correctly.

— josh smith, USA TODAY, "Top 15 questions people are asking this tax season," 15 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of expense

circa 1909

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Economics Terms

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

EXPENSE Defined for English Language Learners

expense

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

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

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.