expend

verb

ex·​pend ik-ˈspend How to pronounce expend (audio)
expended; expending; expends

transitive verb

1
: to pay out : spend
the social services upon which public revenue is expendedJ. A. Hobson
2
: to make use of for a specific purpose : utilize
projects on which they expended great energy
also : use up
expender noun

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
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.
The first-stage booster made a successful 21st liftoff, but was expended to get the satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025 The center is supported with two years of funding for consultations, $250,000 to expend on rolling microgrant funding and $50,000 for businesses through the city fee program, which pays for licenses, permits and inspections. Olivia Cyrus, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2025 Bitdefender also offers smartphone apps, though expending a license on mobile protection may not be cost-effective. PC Magazine, 9 June 2025 Booking an evening flight can increase the chance of the baby sleeping through the journey, and opting for longer layover times between connecting flights can help the baby or young child expend energy before the next flight, according to Pampers. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for expend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin expendere to weigh out, expend, from ex- + pendere to weigh — more at spin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expend was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expend. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

expend

verb
ex·​pend ik-ˈspend How to pronounce expend (audio)
1
: to pay out : spend
expend state funds
2
: use up
expend energy

More from Merriam-Webster on expend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!