# spending

/ˈspɛndɪŋ/ (US) · /spˈɛndɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spending
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. money paid out

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: the act of expending money or the total amount of expenditure.

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

## Examples

- The government plans to increase spending on education next year.
- High consumer spending during the holiday season usually leads to a significant boost in the national economy.
- Economists are closely monitoring whether the recent tax cuts will translate into increased household spending or if consumers will instead choose to pay down existing debts.

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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.