outlay

1 of 2

verb

out·​lay ˈau̇t-ˌlā 

ˌau̇t-ˈlā

outlaid ˈau̇t-ˌlād 

ˌau̇t-ˈlād

; outlaying

transitive verb

: to lay out (money) : expend

outlay

2 of 2

noun

out·​lay ˈau̇t-ˌlā 

1

: the act of expending

2

: expenditure, payment

outlays for national defense

Synonyms

Verb

• disburse
• drop
• expend
• fork (over, out, or up)
• give
• lay out
• pay
• shell out
• spend

Noun

• charge
• cost
• disbursement
• expenditure
• expense
• outgo

Examples of outlay in a Sentence

Verb

the nation had outlaid nearly 20 billion dollars on social programs at that point

Noun

The initial outlay for the program will be 2.4 million dollars.

Maintaining a horse requires considerable outlay.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Linear ratings are in decline and ad demand has been muted for several quarters owing to economic unrest and changes in how Madison Avenue outlays its dollars for media. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

This is a huge win for builders who have to outlay a lot of capital to purchase land and are hesitant to get into warehouse space because of the additional CAPEX said Tim Sullivan, senior managing principal at Zonda, a nationwide data and media group. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 7 July 2021

Noun

The figure marks a $242 billion increase from the deficit recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year, as outlays saw an 18 percent jump, while revenues dipped 7 percent. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024

The risk sharing element through pay for performance is essential in light of the potential for significant outlays should a substantial number of patients opt to take the new treatments. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

outlay

noun

out·​lay

ˈau̇t-ˌlā

1

: the act of spending

2

: an amount spent : payment