expend

verb

ex·​pend ik-ˈspend 

expended; expending; expends

transitive verb

1

: to pay out : spend

… the social services upon which public revenue is expended.

—J. A. Hobson

2

: to make use of for a specific purpose : utilize

projects on which they expended great energy

also : use up

expender noun

Synonyms of expend

• spend
• pay

Examples of expend in a Sentence

Are we willing to expend the time and resources required to solve the problem?

redecoration will have to wait, since we've just expended our last dollar in buying the house

Recent Examples on the Web

All three boosters were expended, so no sonic boom landings. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

The organizations also claim that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s prudence requirement doesn’t allow NIPSCO to recover costs expended pursuant to an unlawful directive, according to the letter. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

How much effort should a country expend to rescue someone who appears to hate its values? —Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025

Some argue that instead of expending resources and effort to knock its adversaries off balance, the United States should invest in itself and its distinct advantages, including existing and new relationships with allies, friends, and partners. —Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English expenden, exspenden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espendre, expendre, borrowed from Latin expendere "to weigh, pay out, disburse," from ex- ex- entry 1 + pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" — more at pendent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for expend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

expend

verb

ex·​pend ik-ˈspend 

1

: to pay out : spend

expend state funds

2

: use up

expend energy