expenditure

noun

ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər How to pronounce expenditure (audio)
-də-ˌchu̇r,
-də-ˌt(y)u̇r
1
: the act or process of expending
an expenditure of energy
2
: something expended : disbursement, expense
income should exceed expenditures

Examples of expenditure in a Sentence

an increase in military expenditures an increase in military expenditure vast expenditures of time and effort The energy expenditure was significant. the expenditure of funds for the new school The project will require an expenditure of effort on everyone's part.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tariffs and the economic uncertainty haven’t impacted prices too deeply just yet, though May’s inflation inched up more than expected last month, reaching 2.7%, according to the core personal consumption expenditures index—excluding food and energy categories. Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 In a May filing with the justices, Solicitor General D. John Sauer said the government agrees that the expenditure limits violate the First Amendment by restricting parties' right to engage in political speech in coordination with their candidates. June 30, CBS News, 30 June 2025 In a report Friday, its preferred gauge, the personal consumption expenditures index, rose to 2.3% in May. Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 Coordinated party expenditure limits for 2025 range from $127,200 to $3,946,100 for Senate races, depending on each state’s voting age population. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for expenditure

Word History

Etymology

irregular from expend

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expenditure was in 1769

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expenditure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expenditure. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

expenditure

noun
ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər How to pronounce expenditure (audio)
-də-ˌchu̇(ə)r
1
: the act of spending (as money, time, or energy)
2
: something that is spent

Legal Definition

expenditure

noun
ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər, -ˌchu̇r How to pronounce expenditure (audio)
1
: the act or process of paying out
2
: something paid out see also capital expenditure

More from Merriam-Webster on expenditure

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