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n. 1. a. Something spent to attain a goal or accomplish a purpose: an expense of time and energy on the project. b. A loss for the sake of something gained; a sacrifice: achieved speed at the expense of accuracy. 2. An expenditure of money; a cost: an improvement that was well worth the expense; a trip with all expenses paid. 3. expenses a. Charges incurred by an employee in the performance of work: was reimbursed for her travel expenses. b. Informal Money allotted for payment of such charges. 4. Something requiring the expenditure of money: Redecorating the house will be a considerable expense. 5. Archaic The act of expending. tr.v. ex·pensed, ex·pens·ing, ex·pens·es Idiom: 1. To charge with expenses. 2. To write off as an expense. at (one's) expense To one's detriment or chagrin: telling jokes at my expense. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin (pecūnia) expēnsa, (money) paid out, feminine past participle of expendere, to pay out; see EXPEND.] |
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