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

The new rule wouldn’t apply to one-time or emergency spending, and certain expenditures would be excluded from the cap. —Nolan McKendry | The Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2025

Limiting expenditure is an obvious goal of UEFA’s squad cost ratio rule, and Chelsea have repeatedly spoken of their desire to reduce wages. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025

In 2024 alone, Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta spent over $250 billion in capital expenditures — much of it directed at embedding AI and security across their platforms. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Residents there would have $1,770 left over after subtracting money for their monthly expenditures. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 16 Apr. 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