petty cash

American  

noun

1. a cash fund for paying small charges, as for minor office supplies or deliveries.

---

petty cash British  

noun

1. a small cash fund kept on a firm's premises for the payment of minor incidental expenses

---

Etymology

Origin of petty cash

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

“We want the government to provide emergency services like helping fund tickets, food, petty cash, and cellphones and emergent medical needs on arrival,” Vazquez said.

From Washington Post • Jul. 14, 2022

After a burglar bashed a hole in our front door, we kept the petty cash in the bookshelves behind a volume of Ezra Pound.

From The Guardian • Sep. 21, 2019

You can easily find the $10M in petty cash.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2015

One of Shaw's masterstrokes is his large collection of bizarre paintings by amateur hobbyists, which he bought for petty cash in his thrift store outings over decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2015

If I’m wondering who pilfered the petty cash, it’s more reassuring to hear Not Jones; he’s an honest man than Not Jones; he’s a very honest man.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker