Spending: meaning, definitions and examples

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spending

[ˈspɛndɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

money

The act of paying out money usually for a particular purpose; an amount of money spent.

Synonyms

disbursement, expenditure, outlay.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spending	General term for using money, often related to daily expenses or government budgets. Household spending has increased this year. The government's spending on healthcare is too high.
expenditure	Used to describe the total amount of money spent on something, often in formal or fiscal contexts. The company's annual expenditure on marketing is substantial. We need to reduce our expenditure to balance the budget.
outlay	A specific sum of money spent on a particular project or item, often used in business or investment contexts. The initial outlay for the new equipment was quite high. Starting a new business requires significant outlay.
disbursement	Typically used in formal or legal contexts to refer to the act of paying out money, especially from a fund. The disbursement of funds will occur at the end of the month. The charity received a large disbursement from an anonymous donor.

Examples of usage

Government spending on education has increased this year.
Excessive spending can lead to financial problems.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

time

The act of using or consuming time; the time during which someone or something is busy or occupied.

Synonyms

employment, passing, utilization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spending	This word is often used when talking about money or resources being used, especially in a financial or budgeting context. Government spending on education has increased this year. Household spending on utilities is rising.
passing	This word is often used to describe the action of going by or moving past something, or the act of someone dying. It can also refer to the completion of exams or tests. The passing of the seasons is marked by changes in the weather. The whole town mourned her passing.
utilization	This word is more formal and is used to describe the efficient use of resources, equipment, or time. The company has improved its resource utilization. Machine utilization rates have increased in the factory.
employment	This word is appropriate when referring to someone having a job or the state of having a job. Her employment at the company has lasted over ten years. The government is focusing on increasing employment rates.

Examples of usage

Spending quality time with family is important.
She enjoys spending her free time reading books.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

time

To pass (time) in a specified manner or place.

Synonyms

occupy, pass, utilize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spending	Used when talking about the allocation or expending of resources, typically money or time, for a particular purpose. My monthly spending on groceries has increased. We need to cut back on our spending to save money.
pass	Used when indicating the movement of something from one place to another or the transfer of something, such as time or an item. Weeks can pass without hearing from him. Can you pass me the salt, please?
occupy	Used when referring to filling or taking up space, time, or one's attention. The children occupy themselves with video games. She will occupy the guest room during her visit.
utilize	Used in more formal or technical contexts when emphasizing the effective use or deployment of resources. We need to utilize all available resources to complete the project. This tool is designed to utilize solar energy efficiently.

Examples of usage

He spends hours playing video games.
She spends most of her time studying.

Interesting Facts

Economics

Spending is a critical part of the economy, helping it grow by creating demand for goods and services.
Consumers and businesses can influence spending patterns, which in turn affects job creation and investment.
There are two main types of spending: consumer spending, which is when people buy things for themselves, and business spending, which is for company growth and operations.

Psychology

Research shows that people often spend money to improve their mood, a behavior known as retail therapy.
Impulse buying occurs when emotions drive spending decisions, often leading to regret after the purchase.
Studies suggest that spending experiences, like travel or dining, can lead to greater long-term happiness compared to material purchases.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, spending during festivals or holidays expresses generosity and strengthens community bonds.
Collective spending habits can reflect cultural values; for instance, societies that prioritize saving may have less flashy consumer behaviors.
Gift-giving during holidays can be seen as both a form of spending and a cultural practice that emphasizes relationships.

Personal Finance

Keeping a budget helps manage spending, ensuring that expenses do not exceed income.
It's often recommended to track spending for a month to identify habits and areas for improvement.
Smart spending considers not just the price tag but also value and long-term benefits.

Technology

Digital payment systems and apps have changed how people approach spending, making transactions easier and faster.
E-commerce has expanded spending by providing consumers access to a wider range of products at competitive prices.
Data analytics in retail allows businesses to understand spending patterns, improving marketing strategies and inventory management.

Translations

Translations of the word "spending" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gastos

🇮🇳 खर्च

🇩🇪 Ausgaben

🇮🇩 pengeluaran

🇺🇦 витрати

🇵🇱 wydatki

🇯🇵 支出

🇫🇷 dépenses

🇪🇸 gastos

🇹🇷 harcama

🇰🇷 지출

🇸🇦 نفقات

🇨🇿 výdaje

🇸🇰 výdavky

🇨🇳 支出

🇸🇮 stroški

🇮🇸 útgjöld

🇰🇿 шығындар

🇬🇪 ხარჯები

🇦🇿 xərclər

🇲🇽 gastos

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,913, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2910 warrant
2911 royal
2912 talked
2913 spending
2914 penalty
2915 intervals
2916 remainder
...