ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spending

n.
US //ˈspɛndɪŋ// UK //spˈɛndɪŋ// spend·ing
  1. 1 money paid out (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the money that you spend, or the act of spending it.

    the act of expending money or the total amount of expenditure.

    Example

    The family had to cut back on their monthly spending to save for a new car.

    Example

    Economists are concerned that a sharp decrease in consumer spending could trigger a recession in the coming fiscal year.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun, but can be modified by adjectives like 'public' or 'consumer'.

    Pitfall
    The government spending is too high.
    Government spending is too high.

    When 'spending' is used as a general concept with a modifier like 'government' or 'consumer', you usually do not need the definite article 'the'.

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