expenditure

noun

ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər 

-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

Synonyms

• expense
• cost

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

Investors saw this in quarterly earnings reports from Club holdings Meta Platforms, Amazon, and other Big Tech names, which raised their capital expenditures. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025

Some 84 percent of the defense budget is classified and actual military spending can be hidden within other types of expenditure, Reuters reported. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

In places where parks do close, the lack of visitors will have an impact on local economies that benefit from expenditures by park-goers at restaurants, gas stations and other businesses. —Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

President Vladimir Putin had pledged not to raise taxes before 2030, but spiraling military and security expenditure — and reduced income from oil thanks to sanctions and Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries — have hit Moscow’s exchequer. —semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

irregular from expend

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

expenditure

noun

ex·​pen·​di·​ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər 

-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 

1

: the act or process of paying out

2

: something paid out see also capital expenditure