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

He could exasperate editors with his strongly held opinions and his prodigal ways with an expense account.

From New York Times ● Jun. 6, 2024

That same Roosevelt ran for mayor in 1965, and laid into the incumbent, Sam Yorty, for paying his dues to the segregated Jonathan Club with his city expense account.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2023

They have something else going for them: a lower price that experts say is more easily submitted on an expense account.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 31, 2022

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