spend

verb

spent ˈspent How to pronounce spend (audio) ; spending

transitive verb

1
: to use up or pay out : expend
2
a
: exhaust, wear out
the hurricane gradually spent itself
b
: to consume wastefully : squander
the waters are not ours to spendJ. R. Ellis
3
: to cause or permit to elapse : pass
spend the night
4

intransitive verb

1
: to expend or waste wealth or strength
2
: to become expended or consumed
3
: to have an orgasm
spendable adjective
spender noun

Examples of spend in a Sentence

I spent $30 on his birthday gift. They spend a lot on clothes and cars. I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend. Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends. He spends lavishly on vacations. I spent my summer at the beach. She spent eight months living in New York City. Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend. Our cat spends most of his time sleeping. Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Johnson, who spent the past year-plus on Miami’s practice squad, will give the Dolphins a fifth available cornerback if Storm Duck isn’t active. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 New Mexico’s defense was particularly effective in the first half, getting 10 tackles for loss and spending a lot of time in the Broncos’ backfield. Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025 Autry believes that the billions of dollars being spent by companies like SpaceX and the federal government to support space exploration, return to the Moon and potentially get to Mars is money well spent. Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025 Football is increasingly focused on the club game, but players — particularly those who have spent much of their career abroad — still have a deep affection for representing their nation. Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -spendan, from Medieval Latin expendere to disburse, use up, from Latin, to measure by weight, pay out — more at expend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spend was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spend. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

spend

verb
spent ˈspent How to pronounce spend (audio) ; spending
1
: to pay out : expend
2
: to cause or allow (as time) to pass
spent the day with friends
3
b
: to use wastefully : squander
spender noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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