spend

verb

ˈspend How to pronounce spend (audio)
spent ˈspent How to pronounce spend (audio) ; spending
Synonyms of spendnext

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 How to pronounce spend (audio)
adjective
spender noun

Synonyms of spend

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Judging from the photos and video, Alaskan has done a nice job of turning the tiny interior of its camper into an inviting space in which campers will want to spend time. — New Atlas, 8 July 2026 People are paying for gyms and actually showing up, which breaks a business model that spent decades monetizing absence. — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Though none of them passed, the dialysis industry spent hundreds of millions between 2018 and 2022 to defeat them. — Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 For consumption, Temasek sees opportunities in spending on experiences over goods, and homegrown consumer brands that have proved innovation capabilities, over foreign brands. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for spend

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spend was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing spend

Rhymes for spend

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Browse Nearby Words

Spencer roll
spend
spendable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spend. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spend

verb
ˈspend How to pronounce spend (audio)
spent ˈspent How to pronounce spend (audio) ; 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

More from Merriam-Webster on spend

Nglish: Translation of spend for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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