finance

1 of 2

noun

fi·​nance fə-ˈnan(t)s 

ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s,

fī-ˈnan(t)s 

1

finances plural : money or other liquid resources of a government, business, group, or individual

The library closed due to a lack of finances.

2

: the system that includes the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, and the provision of banking facilities

3

: the science or study of the management of funds

An expert in finance predicts a global recession.

4

: the obtaining of funds or capital : financing

business expansion for which finance would otherwise be unavailable

—F. D. Roosevelt

finance

2 of 2

verb

financed; financing

transitive verb

1

a

: to raise or provide funds or capital for

finance a new house

b

: to furnish with necessary funds

finance a son through college

2

: to sell something to on credit

Synonyms

Noun

• bankroll
• coffers
• exchequer
• fund
• pocket
• resources
• wherewithal

Verb

• bankroll
• capitalize
• endow
• fund
• stake
• subsidize
• underwrite

Examples of finance in a Sentence

Noun

She's taking a course on personal finance.

an expert in finance who predicts global economic disaster

The library closed due to a lack of finances.

Verb

His parents financed his college education.

The study was financed by a government grant.

They financed him to study abroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Neither did several other top-dollar donors who are listed in campaign finance filings as living in Maryland — a state packed with wealthy Democrats, especially in the Washington suburbs. —Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2024

And some of the unions that represent postal workers are concerned the modernization plan will try to improve finances by reducing the reliability of the service. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 13 July 2024

Verb

Cannon further argued that the attorney general lacks authority to appoint special counsels with broad investigative authorities, and that the Justice Department used an improper funding mechanism to finance Smith’s office. —Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 15 July 2024

Black Bear fully financed and executive produced IFC Films opens SXSW-premiering indie music drama Dandelion, written-directed by Nicole Riegel and starring KiKi Layne as struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French finances, going back to Middle French, "monetary resources, revenue," in singular, "money, resource," from finer "to pay by way of settlement, make a payment" (derivative of fin "final agreement, payment, fine entry 3") + -ance -ance

Note: In the current senses, finance is borrowed directly from French, though the word existed in English with early senses going back to medieval French; cf. Middle English fynaunce "ending, outcome, monetary payment, ransom," borrowed from Anglo-French in these senses.

Verb

derivative of finance entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing finance

• co-finance
• finance company
• finance house
• high finance
• pre-finance
• self-finance

Kids Definition

finance

1 of 2 noun

fi·​nance fə-ˈnan(t)s  ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s 

fī-ˈnan(t)s

1

plural : resources (as money) available to a government, person, group, or business

2

: the obtaining or providing of funds or capital

3

: the system that includes the circulation of money, the providing of banks and credit, and the making of investments

financial

fə-ˈnan-chəl

fī-

adjective

financially

-ˈnanch-(ə-)lē

adverb

finance

2 of 2 verb

financed; financing

: to provide money for

finance a trip

Legal Definition

finance

1 of 2 noun

fi·​nance

1

plural : money or other liquid resources of a government, business, group, or individual

2

: the system that includes the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, and the provision of banking facilities

3

: the science or study of the management of funds

4

: the obtaining of funds or capital : financing

finance

2 of 2 transitive verb

financed; financing

1

a

: to raise or provide funds or capital for

finance a takeover

b

: to furnish with necessary funds

2

: to sell something to on credit