expense account

American  

noun

1. an account of business expenditures, as travel, hotel room, meals, and entertainment connected with work, for which an employee will be reimbursed by an employer.

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expense account British  

noun

1. an arrangement by which expenses incurred in the course of a person's work are refunded by his employer or deducted from his income for tax purposes

2. a record of such expenses

3. informal (modifier) paid for by an employer or by money allowable against tax

   an expense-account lunch

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expense account Cultural  

1. An account or list of expenses incurred in doing business outside the office, part of which is a tax deduction. The term often applies to lunches or dinners at which business deals are made and clients entertained.

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Etymology

Origin of expense account

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

expense account

But if you’ve got money to burn or a bottomless expense account, what a sweet, sweet way to travel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

When it did not, the bill was paid through the governor’s $95,000 annual expense account.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 1, 2023

And, of course, it has also inspired envy among those of us at The Times who cover culture and probably can’t justify a $3,250 Zoom on the ol’ expense account.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2023

Facing up to 10 years in prison, he pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of expense account cheating and was sentenced to one year of probation.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2023

This was the boon of having a summer associate to advise: It was an excuse to eat out and eat well, and to do it on the firm’s expense account.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama