budget

American  

[buhj-it] / ˈbʌdʒ ɪt /

noun

1. an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future.

2. a plan of operations based on such an estimate.

3. an itemized allotment of funds, time, etc., for a given period.

4. the total sum of money set aside or needed for a purpose.

   the construction budget.

5. a limited stock or supply of something.

   his budget of goodwill.

6. Obsolete. a small bag; pouch.

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adjective

1. reasonably or cheaply priced.

   budget dresses.

verb (used with object)

budgeted, budgeting

1. to plan allotment of (funds, time, etc.).

2. to deal with (specific funds) in a budget.

verb (used without object)

budgeted, budgeting

1. to subsist on or live within a budget.

budget ¹ British  

/ ˈbʌdʒɪt /

noun

1. an itemized summary of expected income and expenditure of a country, company, etc, over a specified period, usually a financial year

2. an estimate of income and a plan for domestic expenditure of an individual or a family, often over a short period, such as a month or a week

3. a restriction on expenditure (esp in the phrase on a budget )

4. (modifier) economical; inexpensive

   budget meals for a family

5. the total amount of money allocated for a specific purpose during a specified period

6. archaic a stock, quantity, or supply

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verb

1. (tr) to enter or provide for in a budget

2. to plan the expenditure of (money, time, etc)

3. (intr) to make a budget

Budget ² British  

/ ˈbʌdʒɪt /

noun

1. an estimate of British government expenditures and revenues and the financial plans for the ensuing fiscal year presented annually to the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer

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Other Word Forms

• budgetary adjective
• budgeter noun
• nonbudgetary adjective
• prebudget noun
• prebudgetary adjective
• pro-budgeting adjective
• rebudget verb (used with object)
• unbudgeted adjective

Etymology

Origin of budget

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bowgett, from Middle French, bougette, from bouge “bag” (from Latin bulga; bulge ) + -ette -ette )

Example Sentences

After nearly a year of absorbing higher import costs, businesses are now passing those costs on to consumers, squeezing household budgets further.

From Barron's

After nearly a year of absorbing higher import costs, businesses are now passing those costs on to consumers, squeezing household budgets further.

From Barron's

If confidence in the government’s fiscal management over the long run erodes, borrowing costs could rise, putting additional pressure on the budget.

From Barron's

The shutdown, Iran, the birthright-citizenship case and the budget are all on the president’s plate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Everyone talks about “budgeting” — but I’ve found the real challenge is clearing the psychological hurdle to sitting down and auditing where your cash actually goes each month.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• account
• allocation
• cost
• total