■ noun
1》 the cost incurred in or required for something.
↘( ~s ) costs incurred in the performance of a job or task.
2》 something on which money must be spent.
■ verb offset (an item of expenditure) as an ~ against taxable income.
↘ informal charge to an ~ account.
Phrases
at the ~ of
1》 paid for by.
2》 to the detriment of.
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr., from late L. expensa (pecunia) '(money) spent', from L. expendere (see expend ).