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

As Netflix acknowledged again this past week, even the most tech-savvy organizations can lose track of cloud expenditures. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the personal consumption expenditures price index, indicated a 2.4% inflation rate on an annual basis in November, the Commerce Department recently said. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024

Its preferred inflation gauge, known as the personal consumption expenditures price index, is coming in lower — and closer to the Fed’s target — than the higher-profile consumer price index. —Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Lil Wayne and his publicists didn't respond to the publication's questions about the expenditures. —Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

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