expense

1 of 2

noun

ex·pense ik-ˈspen(t)s

Synonyms of expense next

: financial burden or outlay : cost

built the monument at their own expense

: an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

: something expended to secure a benefit or bring about a result

: a cause or occasion of expenditure

an estate is a great expense

: a loss, detriment, or embarrassment that results from some action or gain : sacrifice

everyone had a good laugh at my expense

—usually used in the phrase at the expense of

develop a boy's physique at the expense of his intelligence—

Bertrand Russell

archaic : the act or an instance of expending : expenditure

expense

2 of 2

verb

expensed; expensing

transitive verb

: to charge to an expense account

: to write off as an expense

: to charge with expenses

Examples of expense in a Sentence

Noun I don't think a first-class ticket is worth the added expense. The annual fee is simply an expense of doing business. A new car is a major expense.

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.

Noun

The Hustle Some landlords and big businesses have been able to withstand higher expenses by charging higher prices. —

thehustle.co, 22 Nov. 2024 Companies often worry that investing in AI personalization won’t pay off quickly enough to justify the expense. —

Andy Kaiser, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Verb

Steeper expenses for child care and home insurance left many people fed up and looking for change. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 But, Ellis allegedly expensed first-class flights, luxury hotels and private car services. —

Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expense

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin expensa, from Latin, feminine of expensus, past participle of expendere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of expense was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Expense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expense. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

expense

noun

ex·pense

ik-ˈspen(t)s

: something spent or required to be spent : cost

: a cause of spending

a car is a great expense

Legal Definition

expense

1 of 2 noun

ex·pense

: financial burden or outlay

specifically : an item of business outlay chargeable against revenue for a specific period

— business expense

: an expense made in furtherance of one's business especially as part of the cost of operating a business in the taxable year in which the expense is incurred compare capital expense and personal expense in this entry

Note: Business expenses are generally tax deductible in the year the expense is incurred.

— capital expense

: an expense made in a business that will provide a long-term benefit : capital expenditure

Note: Capital expenses are not tax deductible as business expenses but may be used for depreciation or amortization.

— moving expense

: an expense incurred in changing one's residence that is tax deductible if incurred for business reasons (as when one's job requires relocation)

— ordinary and necessary expense

: an expense that is normal or customary and helpful and appropriate for the operation of a particular business or trade and that is made during the taxable year

called also ordinary and necessary business expense

Note: Ordinary and necessary expenses are tax deductible.

— personal expense

: an expense incurred in the course of one's personal affairs as distinguished from the course of one's employment or the operation of a business compare business expense in this entry

Note: Personal expenses are usually not tax deductible.

expense

2 of 2 transitive verb

expensed; expensing

: to charge with expenses

: to write off as an expense

Last Updated: 28 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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expense

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of expense in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near expense

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition