spend

verb

ˈspend 

spent ˈspent  ; spending

transitive verb

1

: to use up or pay out : expend

2

a

: exhaust, wear out

the hurricane gradually spent itself

b

: to consume wastefully : squander

the waters are not ours to spend

—J. R. Ellis

3

: to cause or permit to elapse : pass

spend the night

4

: give up, sacrifice

intransitive verb

1

: to expend or waste wealth or strength

2

: to become expended or consumed

3

: to have an orgasm

spendable

ˈspen-də-bəl 

adjective

spender noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of spend in a Sentence

I spent $30 on his birthday gift.

They spend a lot on clothes and cars.

I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend.

Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends.

He spends lavishly on vacations.

I spent my summer at the beach.

She spent eight months living in New York City.

Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend.

Our cat spends most of his time sleeping.

Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

President-elect Donald Trump has been ordered to spend up to four hours answering questions under oath as part of his lawsuit against ABC and host George Stephanopoulos. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

In this novel, Greg Heffley and his family decide to spend summer break with both Mom’s and Dad’s relatives. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

Interestingly, those movies didn’t spend as much time in the #1 position as movies like Anyone But You, The Little Things and Irish Wish, but spent more time on the charts overall, making the Top 10 list 23 times, 20 times and 19 times respectively. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

The band spent up to 18 hours a day recording and performing at dozens of military bases. —Julian Ring, NPR, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -spendan, from Medieval Latin expendere to disburse, use up, from Latin, to measure by weight, pay out — more at expend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing spend

• spend/stay the night
• spend the night
• spend the night together
• spend the night with (someone)

Kids Definition

spend

verb

ˈspend 

spent ˈspent  ; spending

1

: to pay out : expend

2

: to cause or allow (as time) to pass

spent the day with friends

3

a

: exhaust entry 1 sense 1, wear out

b

: to use wastefully : squander

spender noun