v.tr. (past and past part. spent)
1. (usu. foll. by on) a (also absol.) pay out (money) in making a purchase etc. (spent {pound}5 on a new pen). b pay out (money) for a particular person's benefit or for the improvement of a thing (had to spend {pound}200 on the car).
2 a use or consume (time or energy) (shall spend no more effort; how do you spend your Sundays?). b (also refl.) use up; exhaust; wear out (their ammunition was all spent; his anger was soon spent; spent herself campaigning for justice).
3 tr. (as spent adj.) having lost its original force or strength; exhausted (the storm is spent; spent bullets).
Phrases and idioms:
spending money pocket money. spend a penny Brit. colloq. urinate or defecate (from the coin-operated locks of public lavatories).
Derivatives:
spendable adj. spender n.
Etymology: OE spendan f. L expendere (see EXPEND): in ME perh. also f. obs. dispend f. OF despendre expend f. L dispendere: see DISPENSE