Definition of "expense" []

• Something spent to attain a goal or accomplish a purpose: an expense of time and energy on the project. (noun)
• A loss for the sake of something gained; a sacrifice: achieved speed at the expense of accuracy. (noun)
• An expenditure of money; a cost: an improvement that was well worth the expense; a trip with all expenses paid. (noun)
• Charges incurred by an employee in the performance of work: was reimbursed for her travel expenses. (noun)
• Informal Money allotted for payment of such charges. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "If this expense is allowed to go through, this city is going to have lot of explaining to do to taxpayers."
• "On Monday, Giannoulias defended the purchase by saying the expense is a reasonable operating expense because it's used at times to market the Bright Start program, although his office could not explain how much it was used for marketing and how often it was driven by Giannoulias."
• "Mr Augustine will be keenly aware that this expense is a pittance compared to the costs of sticking with an overly ambitious requirement that is such a huge cost driver."