Word
expend
Phoneticsex·pend, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈspɛnd/
UK/ɛkspˈɛnd/
Definition
v. to use up a resource or spend money. You use this when you want to say that something is being used up for a specific purpose.
v. to use up or consume a resource, such as money, energy, or materials. Often implies a deliberate or strategic allocation of a finite asset.
Examples
“The company decided to expend its remaining budget on new equipment.”
“The government must expend significant resources to maintain the aging infrastructure before the next decade begins.”
“By choosing to expend their limited diplomatic capital on this high-stakes negotiation, the leaders risked alienating their traditional allies in the region.”
Examples
simple
“The company decided to expend its remaining budget on new equipment.”
contextual
“The government must expend significant resources to maintain the aging infrastructure before the next decade begins.”
complex
“By choosing to expend their limited diplomatic capital on this high-stakes negotiation, the leaders risked alienating their traditional allies in the region.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “expend” in context.
Verb
01. expend effort
“You will need to expend considerable effort if you want to master a new language.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“In Emery’s eyes, it was McGinn expending unnecessary energy rather than seeking solutions.” “They used these measurements to calculate how much energy the participants expended using the different walking styles.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin expendō (“I weigh; I pay out”). Doublet of spend.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/expend