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

Soon, Santos appears to have started directly using his campaign funds — assembled from small and large donors who believed they were supporting a Republican for Congress — as a personal expense account.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 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

The testimony generating the biggest headlines involves Mr. Vincenz’s expense account activity.

From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 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