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noun Common

expenditure

ehk-SPEHN-diht-shuh

Expenditure (noun) means the act of spending money, time, or effort. Example: “Government expenditure on healthcare rose last year.”

noun
1
The act of spending money, time, or effort.
"Government expenditure on healthcare rose last year."
2
The amount of money spent; an outlay.
"Their monthly expenditure includes rent, food, and travel."

How to Use Expenditure

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMoney (or time/effort) that has been spent, or the act of spending it.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
public expenditure monthly expenditure reduce expenditure

Word Forms

expenditures plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Government _____ on healthcare rose last year.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin expenditus, a form of expendere ("to weigh out, pay out"), plus the noun ending -ure.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for expenditure

See all rhymes for expenditure →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “expenditure” mean?

The word “expenditure” means the act of spending money, time, or effort. In plain terms, money (or time/effort) that has been spent, or the act of spending it.

How do you pronounce “expenditure”?

“Expenditure” is pronounced ehk-SPEHN-diht-shuh (/ɛkˈspɛndɪt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “expenditure” in a sentence?

Here is “expenditure” used in a sentence: “Government expenditure on healthcare rose last year.”

What part of speech is “expenditure”?

“Expenditure” is a noun.

Where does the word “expenditure” come from?

The word “expenditure” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin expenditus, a form of expendere ("to weigh out, pay out"), plus the noun ending -ure.

Is “expenditure” a common word?

“Expenditure” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “expenditure” have?

“Expenditure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of spending money, time, or effort.

What is the difference between expenditure and expense?

Expenditure refers to the act of spending money, time, or effort, or the total amount spent, and is often used in formal, financial, or governmental contexts. Expense usually refers to a specific cost or item that money is spent on, and is more common in everyday and business language.

What is the difference between expenditure and expenses?

Expenditure is often used as an uncountable noun referring to overall spending, such as "total expenditure," while expenses typically refers to individual costs or a list of specific items spent on, such as "travel expenses."

Is expenditure a formal word?

Yes, expenditure tends to appear in formal, financial, or official contexts, such as government budgets, business reports, and accounting, rather than in casual everyday conversation.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial