expense

1 of 2

noun

ex·​pense ik-ˈspen(t)s 

1

a

: financial burden or outlay : cost

built the monument at their own expense

b

: an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

c

: something expended to secure a benefit or bring about a result

2

: a cause or occasion of expenditure

an estate is a great expense

3

: a loss, detriment, or embarrassment that results from some action or gain : sacrifice

everyone had a good laugh at my expense

—usually used in the phrase at the expense of

develop a boy's physique at the expense of his intelligence

—Bertrand Russell

4

archaic : the act or an instance of expending : expenditure

expense

2 of 2

verb

expensed; expensing

transitive verb

1

a

: to charge to an expense account

b

: to write off as an expense

2

: to charge with expenses

Synonyms

Noun

• charge
• cost
• disbursement
• expenditure
• outgo
• outlay

Examples of expense in a Sentence

Noun

I don't think a first-class ticket is worth the added expense.

The annual fee is simply an expense of doing business.

A new car is a major expense.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It was briefly referenced in the film Brewster’s Millions and in a joke at Homer’s expense in The Simpsons. —Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2024

Her skills as a seasoned general manager featuring an excellent record in expense controls appeared a good fit—so long as the Boeing production machine worked smoothly. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin expensa, from Latin, feminine of expensus, past participle of expendere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing expense

• at someone's expense
• at the expense of
• expense account
• go to (the) expense
• spare no expense

Kids Definition

expense

noun

ex·​pense

ik-ˈspen(t)s

1

: something spent or required to be spent : cost

2

: a cause of spending

a car is a great expense

Legal Definition

expense

1 of 2 noun

ex·​pense

: financial burden or outlay

specifically : an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

— business expense

: an expense made in furtherance of one's business especially as part of the cost of operating a business in the taxable year in which the expense is incurred compare capital expense and personal expense in this entry

Note: Business expenses are generally tax deductible in the year the expense is incurred.

— capital expense

: an expense made in a business that will provide a long-term benefit : capital expenditure

Note: Capital expenses are not tax deductible as business expenses but may be used for depreciation or amortization.

— moving expense

: an expense incurred in changing one's residence that is tax deductible if incurred for business reasons (as when one's job requires relocation)

— ordinary and necessary expense

: an expense that is normal or customary and helpful and appropriate for the operation of a particular business or trade and that is made during the taxable year

called also ordinary and necessary business expense

Note: Ordinary and necessary expenses are tax deductible.

— personal expense

: an expense incurred in the course of one's personal affairs as distinguished from the course of one's employment or the operation of a business compare business expense in this entry

Note: Personal expenses are usually not tax deductible.

expense

2 of 2 transitive verb

expensed; expensing

1

: to charge with expenses

2

: to write off as an expense