verb
expend
ihk-SPEHND
Expend (verb) means to use up a resource such as time, money, or energy. Example: “She expended all her savings renovating the old house.”
verb
1
To use up a resource such as time, money, or energy.
"She expended all her savings renovating the old house."
"The runner expended every ounce of energy in the final sprint."
How to use expend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo spend or use up something, often to the point of exhaustion.
Common pairings
expend energy
expend resources
expend effort
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- expends
- Past tense
- expended
- Archaic forms
- expendest, expendedst, expendeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ all her savings renovating the old house.
Etymology
From Latin expendere, "to weigh out, pay out" — a doublet of the word "spend."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “expend” mean?
The word “expend” means to use up a resource such as time, money, or energy. In plain terms, to spend or use up something, often to the point of exhaustion.
How do you pronounce “expend”?
“Expend” is pronounced ihk-SPEHND (/ɪkˈspɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “expend” in a sentence?
Here is “expend” used in a sentence: “She expended all her savings renovating the old house.”
What part of speech is “expend”?
“Expend” is a verb.
Where does the word “expend” come from?
The word “expend” comes from Latin. From Latin expendere, "to weigh out, pay out" — a doublet of the word "spend.".
