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

He added that A-Street focuses on core education instruction, considered less susceptible to budget cuts than supplemental services intended to fill gaps or enhance learning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Calling himself a “proselytizer for building museums,” Govan noted that LACMA, which has a total operating budget of almost $97 million this year, will soon turn its attention to building a satellite in South L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Ceredigion council said the rise which came in last summer would simplify charges and ensure the authority balances its budget.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The proposed cuts follow a $1.1 billion, or 9%, reduction in the IRS’s budget for fiscal year 2026.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“It was a bit on the long side, but I liked the costumes. The budget must’ve been huge.”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• account
• allocation
• cost
• total