noun
Common
expenditure
ehk-SPEHN-diht-shuh
Expenditure (noun) means the act of spending money, time, or effort. Example: “The expenditure of so much effort left the team exhausted by Friday.”
noun
1
The act of spending money, time, or effort.
"The expenditure of so much effort left the team exhausted by Friday."
"Careful expenditure of your time will help you finish before the deadline."
"Government expenditure on healthcare rose last year."
2
The amount of money spent; an outlay.
"Our total expenditure on the trip was lower than we had planned."
"The school keeps a record of its annual expenditure on books."
"Their monthly expenditure includes rent, food, and travel."
"The expenditure of time, money, and political capital on this project has been excessive."
How to use expenditure
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- expenditures
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The _____ of so much effort left the team exhausted by Friday.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin expenditus, a form of expendere ("to weigh out, pay out"), plus the noun ending -ure.
Synonyms
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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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