cost

The definition of cost is the amount paid for something or the expense of doing something.

(noun)

An example of a cost is $3 for a half gallon of milk.

Cost is defined as to be priced at something or to lose.

(verb)

An example of cost is for a loaf of bread to be priced at $3.
An example of cost is to give up your freedom to give freedom to another person.

See cost in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb cost, costing

: orig. construed as a vi. with the apparent object an adverbial adjunct, and still felt as a vi. when used with an adverb: it cost him dearly
1. to be obtained or obtainable for (a certain price); be priced at
2. to cause or require the expenditure, loss, or experience of: victory cost him his health
costed, costingBusiness to estimate the cost of making, producing, carrying out, etc., as a product or program: often with out

Origin: ME costen < OFr coster < ML costare < L constare, to stand together, stand at, cost < com-, together + stare, to stand

intransitive verb

Informal to be expensive

noun

1. the amount of money, etc. asked or paid for a thing; price
2. the amount spent in producing or manufacturing a commodity
3. the amount paid for something by a dealer, contractor, etc.: a markup is usually added to arrive at a selling price: stoves sold at cost in a sale
1. the amount of money, time, effort, etc. required to achieve an end
2. loss, sacrifice; detriment: to smoke at the cost of one's health
Law the expenses of a lawsuit, esp. those assessed by the court against the losing party

See cost in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An amount paid or required in payment for a purchase; a price.
The expenditure of something, such as time or labor, necessary for the attainment of a goal: “Freedom to advocate unpopular causes does not require that such advocacy be without cost” (Milton Friedman).
costs Law The charges fixed for litigation, often payable by the losing party.

verb cost cost, cost·ing, costs

verb, intransitive

To require a specified payment, expenditure, effort, or loss: It costs more to live in the city.

verb, transitive

To have as a price.
To cause to lose, suffer, or sacrifice: Participating in the strike cost me my job.
past tense and past participle costed costed To estimate or determine the cost of: The accountants costed out our expenses.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from coster, to cost

Origin: , from Latin cōnstāre, to be fixed, cost; see constant

Related Forms: