spend

verb

ˈspend 

spent ˈspent  ; spending

transitive verb

1

: to use up or pay out : expend

2

a

: exhaust, wear out

the hurricane gradually spent itself

b

: to consume wastefully : squander

… the waters are not ours to spend.

—J. R. Ellis

3

: to cause or permit to elapse : pass

spend the night

4

: give up, sacrifice

intransitive verb

1

: to expend or waste wealth or strength

2

: to become expended or consumed

3

: to have an orgasm

spendable

ˈspen-də-bəl 

adjective

spender noun

Synonyms of spend

• pay
• give

Examples of spend in a Sentence

I spent $30 on his birthday gift.

They spend a lot on clothes and cars.

I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend.

Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends.

He spends lavishly on vacations.

I spent my summer at the beach.

She spent eight months living in New York City.

Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend.

Our cat spends most of his time sleeping.

Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cornyn’s reaction — after the two Republicans spent months attacking each other on the campaign trail — adds further uncertainty as Hunt seeks Republican support. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Tennessee spent in free agency to give Saleh talent on defense, including signing corners Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott and Franklin-Myers on the interior. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

On average, a Costco shopper makes 31 trips annually, spending $99 per visit for a total annual outlay of $3,043 – figures that comfortably eclipse competitors like Sam’s Club and BJ’s, Numerator said. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Why not spend an hour with Dillard’s writing, and some reflections on her life and work from her friends and admirers on Lit Hub? — James Folta, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -spendan, from Medieval Latin expendere to disburse, use up, from Latin, to measure by weight, pay out — more at expend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing spend

• spend/stay the night
• spend the night
• spend the night together
• spend the night with (someone)

Rhymes for spend

• blend
• blende
• denned
• end
• fend
• friend
• lend
• mend
• penned
• send
• tend
• trend

Kids Definition

spend

verb

ˈspend 

spent ˈspent  ; spending

1

: to pay out : expend

2

: to cause or allow (as time) to pass

spent the day with friends

3

a

: exhaust entry 1 sense 1, wear out

b

: to use wastefully : squander

spender noun