ex ‧ pend /ɪkˈspend/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ expenditure , ↑ expense , expenses; verb : ↑ expend ; adverb : ↑ expensively ≠ ↑ inexpensively ; adjective : ↑ expensive ≠ ↑ inexpensive ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: expendere 'to weigh out, pay' , from pendere 'to weigh' ]
to use or spend a lot of energy etc in order to do something
expend energy/effort/time/resources etc
People of different ages expend different amounts of energy.
Manufacturers have expended a lot of time and effort trying to improve computer security.
expend something in/on (doing) something
A great deal of time and money has been expended on creating a pleasant office atmosphere.