# expenditure

/ɪkˈspɛndətʃɝ/ (US) · /ɛkspˈɛndɪtʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/expenditure
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. the act of spending

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the act of using or spending energy, time, or money.

For teachers: the process or act of expending a resource, such as capital, effort, or energy. In this sense, it is typically uncountable.

- This job requires a huge expenditure of time and energy.
- Biological processes often involve the rapid expenditure of energy to maintain cellular stability under environmental stress.

Usage: Frequently appears in the phrase 'expenditure of' followed by a resource like 'effort', 'energy', or 'resources'.

## Examples

- The government plans to reduce its annual expenditure on defense.
- The company's monthly expenditure on electricity increased significantly after they installed the new machinery.
- A significant expenditure of effort is required to master a second language, involving not just classroom study but also consistent immersion and cultural engagement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.