indirect cost

American  

noun

1. a business cost that is not directly accountable to a particular function or product; a fixed cost, as a land tax or the like.

---

Etymology

Origin of indirect cost

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

“The cost of providing that same level of education to the remaining students in public school is this second indirect cost of vouchers.”

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2025

With UCLA’s indirect cost rate of 57%, at first glance, it appears Poe would receive an additional $142,500 in such funding.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2025

Bon said there would be indirect cost savings with a regional approach but doesn’t yet have an estimate.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2023

In addition to the direct cost of preparedness, immunisation and emergency response, there’s the indirect cost of disruption in travel, transport of goods, tourism, financial markets and other areas of economic activity.

From The Guardian • Mar. 18, 2018

It is eating up citizens the State has had the expense of educating, and very often the indirect cost of rearing.

From Mankind in the Making by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)