costs
n. C / U A2 Elementary US //ˈkɑsts// UK //kˈɒsts// costs
n. the amount of money you must pay to buy, do, or make something. It often refers to the total money spent on a specific project or business.
n. the total amount of money required for a particular purpose or as part of an ongoing expenditure. Often used in the plural to describe business expenses or legal fees.
The production costs are higher than we expected.
The company had to reduce its operating costs to stay profitable during the economic downturn.
While the initial investment was substantial, the long-term maintenance costs proved to be the most significant burden on the project's budget.
Usage
Commonly used in the plural when referring to business expenses or legal fees; the singular form usually refers to the price of a single item.