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 benefits of the increase include helping low-wage workers make ends meet, reduced poverty, especially for children, more tax revenue and lower aid expenditures for the state, and reduced racial inequality. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

After all, Robbins and his lieutenants at the university approved major allocations and expenditures. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

According to the survey, 62% of CEOs said their company is planning to wait until after the U.S. election for any major M&A deals or capital expenditures. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

Once the watch is moved again, the motion detector at 4:30 causes the watch to leap back to the accurate time, moving the shortest distance—clockwise or counter—to minimize battery expenditure. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024

But last week, a report showed that consumer prices in February increased 2.5% from a year earlier, up from a 2.4% rise in January, according to the personal consumption expenditures index. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for marketing and sales, product development, research and development and other general corporate purposes including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. —Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

The seminary, though, has accused Greenway of improperly handling institutional funds and making unnecessary expenditures. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024

The initial investment in a robust infosec program is often considered a major expenditure. —Justin Rende, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

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