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

• charge
• cost
• disbursement
• expense
• outgo
• outlay

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

The Village Board voted unanimously on April 8 to approve $163 million in expenditures, up $16.5 million from last year’s budget of $146.5 million, according to Village Manager Cara Pavlicek. —Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2025

President Trump’s 2026 budget plan would slash non-defense domestic spending by $163 billion while increasing expenditures on national security, according to White House statements Friday. —Lisa Mascaro and Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025

In fiscal year 2024, of the $2 billion in total research expenditures at the university, $1.2 billion came in through federal research grants, with $762 million from NIH alone. —Brady Thomas West, The Conversation, 2 May 2025

In addition, it’s suspended capital expenditures on new buildings, renovations and other capital projects that are not fully funded or judged to be essential. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 May 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