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

Those expenditures helped defeat a bill that might have led to PBF Energy facing steep penalties for a recent explosion at its Martinez oil refinery. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Whether in good times or bad times, this is an exercise that will always find unnecessary expenditures. —Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

Ninety percent of the nation's $4.5 trillion in annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions, according the CDC. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

The United States continues to lead the world in military expenditures. —Daniel Cody, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

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