capital expenditure

American  

noun

Accounting, Finance.

1. an addition to the value of fixed assets, as by the purchase of a new building.

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capital expenditure British  

noun

1. expenditure on acquisitions of or improvements to fixed assets

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capital expenditure Cultural  

1. The purchase of an asset by a firm.

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Etymology

Origin of capital expenditure

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

AI, is, of course, a major driver of this earnings trend as capital expenditure here is booming while in the rest of the economy is “lingering in mild recession.”

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Of the $110 trillion in global GDP, AI capital expenditure represents $1 trillion this year, with another $7 trillion to $8 trillion more capex added in the next five years, he noted.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

The miner remains on track to meet its production, capital expenditure and costs guidance, she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

AI models despite having just 15% of U.S. hyperscalers’ capital expenditure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

In 1896 the average capital expenditure was about �100 per kilowatt of plant installed; and �50 per kilowatt was regarded as a very low record.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various