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

Selling expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 39.0% from 37.6% in the prior year, partly due to expenditures related to global events. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Volk's also dominating in campaign funds with close to half a million dollars in donations plus another quarter-million in supporting independent expenditures. —Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity are also a major driver of health-care costs in the U.S., accounting for about 90% of the $4.1 trillion annual health-care expenditure, the CDC said. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Uber is the largest single source of independent expenditures; the ride-share company’s political action committee has reported spending more than $7 million, about 7% of all the outside money. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 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