spend

verb

spent ˈspent How to pronounce spend (audio) ; spending

transitive verb

1
: to use up or pay out : expend
2
a
: exhaust, wear out
the hurricane gradually spent itself
b
: to consume wastefully : squander
the waters are not ours to spendJ. R. Ellis
3
: to cause or permit to elapse : pass
spend the night
4

intransitive verb

1
: to expend or waste wealth or strength
2
: to become expended or consumed
3
: to have an orgasm
spendable adjective
spender noun

Examples of spend in a Sentence

I spent $30 on his birthday gift. They spend a lot on clothes and cars. I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend. Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends. He spends lavishly on vacations. I spent my summer at the beach. She spent eight months living in New York City. Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend. Our cat spends most of his time sleeping. Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Edman spent much of the winter seemingly pegged to be the club’s everyday center fielder, with a chance to work into the infield mix occasionally. Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 3 Mar. 2025 That tune has now spent 28 frames somewhere on the country ranking, and lands at its all-time peak of No. 13 this time around. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Hold the ball too long in the NFL and retreat backward and Sanders will spend Sundays in a blue tent with a red face. Troy Renck, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025 He’s spent his entire life alongside Bob in recording studios and concerts. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -spendan, from Medieval Latin expendere to disburse, use up, from Latin, to measure by weight, pay out — more at expend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spend was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spend. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

spend

verb
spent ˈspent How to pronounce spend (audio) ; spending
1
: to pay out : expend
2
: to cause or allow (as time) to pass
spent the day with friends
3
b
: to use wastefully : squander
spender noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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