expenditure

noun

ex·pen·di·ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər

-də-ˌchu̇r,

-də-ˌt(y)u̇r

Synonyms of expenditure

: the act or process of expending

an expenditure of energy

: something expended : disbursement, expense

Your income should exceed your expenditures.

Synonyms of expenditure

Relevance

expense
cost

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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

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.

This expenditure, along with the money for refurbishing old facilities, is putting pressure on national budgets. — Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Whether those expenditures qualify under the amendment is now a matter for the courts. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, Amazon expects capital expenditures this year to reach $220 billion, and analysts project that number will top $280 billion next year, according to FactSet, as the company continues to produce negative free cash flow. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026 Their capital expenditures this year are almost double from this time last year. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expenditure

Word History

Etymology

probably from Medieval Latin expenditus, variant past participle of Latin expendere "to weigh, pay out, expend" + -ure

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of expenditure was in 1769

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

expenditor

expenditure

expense

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Expenditure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expenditure. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

expenditure

noun

ex·pen·di·ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər

-də-ˌchu̇(ə)r

: the act of spending (as money, time, or energy)

: something that is spent

Legal Definition

expenditure

noun

ex·pen·di·ture ik-ˈspen-di-chər, -ˌchu̇r

: the act or process of paying out

: something paid out see also capital expenditure

expenditure

noun

Synonyms of expenditure

Examples of expenditure in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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