spend

verb

\ ˈspend

spent\ ˈspent

\; spending

Definition of spend

transitive verb

1 : to use up or pay out : expend

2a : 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

Other Words from spend Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about spend

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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

After spending time in their writers’ room, she was asked to become a permanent teen consultant. — Teen Vogue, "What To Do After High School: 9 Things To Do Besides College," 4 Apr. 2019 Youth clubs and youth workers face many challenges because they have been hit disproportionately hard by spending cuts, so a lot in the area have had to close down, with young people losing out as a result. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "“It’s Called Ffasiwn” Is a Photography Exhibition That Challenges Assumptions About Status and Style," 25 Mar. 2019 With so much time spent in the air, she's developed a unique approach to workwear. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "What I Wear to Work: Jen Rubio, President and Chief Brand Officer of Away," 25 Mar. 2019 Sholem is the Director of SaksFirst Limitless, the invite-only premium rewards program for the department store’s spend-iest shoppers. — Diana Nguyen, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Woman Behind New York’s Most Glamorous Closets," 22 Mar. 2019 Reba, though, decided to spend the night in California with her stylist, Sandi Spika, and then-husband Narvel Blackstock as her band members and tour manager set off for the next tour destination. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "Reba McEntire Honors Late Band Members Who Died in a Tragic Plane Crash 28 Years Ago," 18 Mar. 2019 Though the relationship was never officially confirmed, they were often seen together, holding hands at Disneyland, and even spending Valentine's Day together in 2012. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About Zac Efron's Love Life," 6 Mar. 2019 Don't spend too much time thinking about the flip, though—just do it! — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "How to Make Perfect Homemade Pancakes in 7 Easy Steps," 27 Mar. 2019 Style expert Clinton Kelly spent 10 years giving women makeovers on What Not to Wear and seven years as a co-host on The Chew. — Clinton Kelly, Woman's Day, "Clinton Kelly Says You Shouldn't Have to 'Dress Your Age'," 27 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spend.' 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 spend

Statistics for spend

Last Updated

16 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for spend

The first known use of spend was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for spend

spend

verb

English Language Learners Definition of spend

: to use (money) to pay for something

: to allow (time) to pass in a particular place or while doing a particular activity

: to use (energy or effort) to do something

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

spend

verb

\ ˈspend

spent\ ˈspent \; spending

Kids Definition of spend

1 : to use (money) to pay for something

2 : to cause or allow (as time) to pass … he parked his car … and was spending considerable time walking about town.— Robert McCloskey, Homer Price

3 : to use wastefully : squander She spends a lot of energy worrying.