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
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
While Intel’s sheer scale and capital expenditure requirements may deter private equity, a consortium or strategic carve-out remains a viable option.
—
Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Instead, the system said that the Atrium’s Lake Norman facility is part of more than $1 billion in capital expenditure investments the health care company announced in 2018.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
Granting additional money, say, to school kids, requires either, one, taking an equivalent amount from some other spending program; two, taking more in taxes out of the hides of voters; or three, transforming the equivalent expenditure into debt for future generations to pay off.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Beijing’s military capabilities already surpass India’s, and given its lower defense burden—the ratio of military expenditures to GDP—China could expand its defense spending with fewer penalties to its economic growth compared with India while further widening its military superiority.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expenditure
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Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Instead, the system said that the Atrium’s Lake Norman facility is part of more than $1 billion in capital expenditure investments the health care company announced in 2018.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
Granting additional money, say, to school kids, requires either, one, taking an equivalent amount from some other spending program; two, taking more in taxes out of the hides of voters; or three, transforming the equivalent expenditure into debt for future generations to pay off.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Beijing’s military capabilities already surpass India’s, and given its lower defense burden—the ratio of military expenditures to GDP—China could expand its defense spending with fewer penalties to its economic growth compared with India while further widening its military superiority.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expenditure
Cite this Entry
“Expenditure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expenditure. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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