expend
use resources such as time or money
To use time, energy, money, or other resources for a special reason or goal.
to expend [time/effort/money/resources] on [something]
- The company expended considerable resources on developing the new product line.
- She expended a great deal of effort preparing for the presentation.
- Governments must decide how to expend public money on healthcare and education.
- He was unwilling to expend any more time on a project he did not believe in.
- Volunteers expended their energy helping to rebuild homes after the storm.
- I do not want to expend all my energy in one day.
- They expended a lot of time on this small problem.
- The team expended money and effort to make the event better.
- We should not expend our limited resources on unimportant things.
- She expended her strength carrying the heavy boxes upstairs.
use up a fixed supply
To use all of something like fuel or bullets so that there is none left.
to expend [ammunition/fuel/a device]
- The aircraft expended all of its missiles during the training exercise.
- The probe expended most of its fuel before entering orbit.
- Troops were ordered not to expend ammunition unless absolutely necessary.
- The device is designed to be expended after a single use.
- The car expended too much fuel on the long trip.
- The soldiers expended all their bullets in the fight.
- This rocket will be expended after it leaves the Earth.
- Do not expend more fuel than you need.
- Base: expend
- 3rd Person Singular: expends
- Present Participle: expending
- Past: expended
expend ammunition
1use up bullets or shells
To use bullets or shells by firing them so that you have less or none left.
- The unit expended most of its ammunition during the first hour of fighting.
- Soldiers were ordered not to expend ammunition without a clear target.
expend effort
1use significant physical or mental effort
To use a lot of physical or mental effort to do something.
- You will need to expend considerable effort if you want to pass that exam.
- We expended a lot of effort trying to fix the old car.
expend energy
1use up physical or mental energy
To use physical or mental energy when you do something, often a lot of it.
- He expended so much energy at the gym that he could hardly walk home.
- We should not expend more energy than necessary on minor tasks.
expend funds
1use allocated or official money
To use money that has been given or set aside, usually in a business or government setting.
- The organization may only expend funds on items listed in the budget.
- Grant recipients must show how they expended the funds.
expend money
1use money for a purpose
To use money for something, usually in a careful or official way.
- The city will expend more money on public transport next year.
- We should not expend money on projects that bring no benefit.
expend resources
1use money, people, or materials
To use money, people, materials, or other things you have in order to reach a goal.
- Nonprofits must decide carefully where to expend their limited resources.
- The company expended vast resources to enter the new market.
expend time
1use time on an activity
To use time for a particular activity, often more time than is easy or expected.
- We should not expend too much time on routine paperwork.
- She expended years of her life on that research project.