finance

American  

[fi-nans, fahy-nans] / fɪˈnæns, ˈfaɪ næns /

noun

1. the management of revenues; the conduct or transaction of money matters generally, especially those affecting the public, as in the fields of banking and investment.

2. finances, the monetary resources, as of a government, company, organization, or individual; revenue.

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verb (used with object)

financed, financing

1. to supply with money or capital; obtain money or credit for.

verb (used without object)

financed, financing

1. to raise money or capital needed for financial operations.

finance British  

/ fɪˈnæns, ˈfaɪnæns /

noun

1. the system of money, credit, etc, esp with respect to government revenues and expenditures

2. funds or the provision of funds

3. (plural) funds; financial condition

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verb

1. (tr) to provide or obtain funds, capital, or credit for

2. (intr) to manage or secure financial resources

Other Word Forms

• financeable adjective
• prefinance verb (used with object)
• self-finance verb (used with object)
• superfinance noun
• underfinance verb (used with object)
• unfinanced adjective
• well-financed adjective

Etymology

Origin of finance

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English finaunce, from Anglo-French, Middle French finance, from fin(er) “to end, settle, pay” ( fine ² ) + -ance -ance

Example Sentences

The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, created a financing program last year to help fund member countries’ military spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reams of documents, emails, photos and videos have touched almost every corridor of global power, including finance, government, the media, arts, sports, academia and the vast stomping grounds of billionaire leisure.

From The Wall Street Journal

It comes at a time of mounting calls for wider transparency about royal finances, following the outcry over Andrew's lease agreement at his former Windsor mansion.

From BBC

“Even if the Fed lowers policy rates to stimulate the economy, borrowers may not get as much benefit from this on new mortgages or even with auto financing, which covers two- to five-year periods.”

From MarketWatch

Ben previously reported on M&A and finance in WSJ's New York office, writing about deals including Union Pacific's nearly $72 billion agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern and the bidding war over Warner Bros.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• back
• bankroll
• fund
• guarantee
• promote
• sponsor
• subsidize
• support
• underwrite