Dictionary
1cost
noun \ˈkȯst\
: the price of something : the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something
: an amount of money that must be spent regularly to pay for something (such as running a business or raising a family)
: something that is lost, damaged, or given up in order to achieve or get something
Full Definition of COST
1
a : the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something : price b : the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object
2
: loss or penalty incurred especially in gaining something
3
plural : expenses incurred in litigation; especially : those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party
— cost·less \-ləs\ adjective
— cost·less·ly adverb
— at all costs
: regardless of the cost or consequences <was determined to win at all costs>
— at cost
: for the price of production <buys clothes at cost directly from the manufacturer>
See cost defined for English-language learners
See cost defined for kids
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First Known Use of COST
13th century
Related to COST
- Synonyms
- charge, expense, disbursement, expenditure, outgo, outlay
Other Economics Terms
2cost
verb
: to have (an amount of money) as a price
: to cause (someone) to pay an amount of money
: to cause (someone) to lose something
costcost·ing
Full Definition of COST
intransitive verb
1
: to require expenditure or payment <the best goods cost more>
2
: to require effort, suffering, or loss
transitive verb
1
: to have a price of
2
: to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something <frequent absences cost him his job>
3
past cost·ed : to estimate or set the cost of —often used with out
See cost defined for English-language learners
Origin of COST
Middle English, from Anglo-French custer, couster, from Latin constare to stand firm, cost — more at constant
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to COST
- Synonyms
- bring, fetch, go (for), run, sell (for)
COST Defined for Kids
1cost
verb \ˈkȯst\
costcost·ing
Definition of COST for Kids
1
: to have a price of <He bought a ticket costing one dollar.>
2
: to cause the payment, spending, or loss of <Being lazy cost me my job.>
2cost
noun
Definition of COST for Kids
1
: the amount paid or charged for something : price
2
: loss or penalty involved in gaining something <Losing my friends was the cost of moving.>
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