finance

1 of 2

noun

fi·​nance fə-ˈnan(t)s 

ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s,

fī-ˈnan(t)s 

1

finances plural : money or other liquid resources of a government, business, group, or individual

The library closed due to a lack of finances.

2

: the system that includes the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, and the provision of banking facilities

3

: the science or study of the management of funds

An expert in finance predicts a global recession.

4

: the obtaining of funds or capital : financing

business expansion for which finance would otherwise be unavailable

—F. D. Roosevelt

finance

2 of 2

verb

financed; financing

transitive verb

1

a

: to raise or provide funds or capital for

finance a new house

b

: to furnish with necessary funds

finance a son through college

2

: to sell something to on credit

Synonyms

Noun

• bankroll
• coffers
• exchequer
• fund
• pocket
• resources
• wherewithal

Verb

• bankroll
• capitalize
• endow
• fund
• stake
• subsidize
• underwrite

Examples of finance in a Sentence

Noun

She's taking a course on personal finance.

an expert in finance who predicts global economic disaster

The library closed due to a lack of finances.

Verb

His parents financed his college education.

The study was financed by a government grant.

They financed him to study abroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Learn how to take control of your personal finances with Get Your Due, our six-week email bootcamp. —Byjason Ma, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024

The judge also sentenced Mr. Trump’s longtime finance chief, Allen H. Weisselberg, to five months at the Rikers Island jail complex. —William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

As a result, payment apps can contribute to financial stress at a time when young people are learning how to manage their finances on their own. —Kimberly Palmer Of Nerdwallet, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. —Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

But the dichotomy between how people feel about their own finances and the economy at large presents a different conundrum. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

Fewer cards could make tracking your finances easier. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

Former Trump Victory finance chair Todd Ricketts, energy mogul Harold Hamm, aerospace executive Robert Bigelow, hedge fund manager Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah Mercer and casino tycoon Phil Ruffin are also among the co-chairs, the invitation said. —Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2024

Bergman is a true Disney veteran with a deep and detailed understanding of business and finance, having joined the company in 1996. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Verb

Even then, only a few properly implement, enforce, and appropriately finance environmentally sound e-waste management. —Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024

Industries from medicine to finance to music have already felt its effects. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024

Rivera, who was not on the March central committee ballot, believes the spate of mail financed by LIUNA Local 89 had a huge impact on the results. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

In an analysis of affordable housing developments financed with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in the Enterprise Community Partners’ California investment portfolio, insurance costs increased 56% from 2020 to 2022. —Nikki Beasley, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

The dog's supporters also started a fundraiser to finance the statue. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

The collection of beneficial ownership information is designed to prevent the misuse of shell companies for money laundering, financing terrorism, and other illicit activities threatening national security. —Matthew Erskine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

This was done in collaboration with the private sector but initiated, directed, and financed by the public sector. —James C. Robinson, STAT, 29 Mar. 2024

For example, our research shows that Putin supporters who oppose continuing the war are still divided about whether financing the offensive should take priority over social programs. —Timothy Frye, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French finances, going back to Middle French, "monetary resources, revenue," in singular, "money, resource," from finer "to pay by way of settlement, make a payment" (derivative of fin "final agreement, payment, fine entry 3") + -ance -ance

Note: In the current senses, finance is borrowed directly from French, though the word existed in English with early senses going back to medieval French; cf. Middle English fynaunce "ending, outcome, monetary payment, ransom," borrowed from Anglo-French in these senses.

Verb

derivative of finance entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing finance

• finance company
• high finance
• finance house
• co-finance
• self-finance
• pre-finance

Kids Definition

finance

1 of 2 noun

fi·​nance fə-ˈnan(t)s  ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s 

fī-ˈnan(t)s

1

plural : resources (as money) available to a government, person, group, or business

2

: the obtaining or providing of funds or capital

3

: the system that includes the circulation of money, the providing of banks and credit, and the making of investments

financial

fə-ˈnan-chəl

fī-

adjective

financially

-ˈnanch-(ə-)lē

adverb

finance

2 of 2 verb

financed; financing

: to provide money for

finance a trip

Legal Definition

finance

1 of 2 noun

fi·​nance

1

plural : money or other liquid resources of a government, business, group, or individual

2

: the system that includes the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, and the provision of banking facilities

3

: the science or study of the management of funds

4

: the obtaining of funds or capital : financing

finance

2 of 2 transitive verb

financed; financing

1

a

: to raise or provide funds or capital for

finance a takeover

b

: to furnish with necessary funds

2

: to sell something to on credit