outlay

American  

[out-ley, out-ley] / ˈaʊtˌleɪ, ˌaʊtˈleɪ /

noun

1. an expending or spending, as of money.

2. an amount expended; expenditure.

---

verb (used with object)

outlaid, outlaying

1. to expend, as money.

outlay British  

noun

1. an expenditure of money, effort, etc

---

verb

1. (tr) to spend (money)

Etymology

Origin of outlay

First recorded in 1545–55; out- + lay ¹

Example Sentences

Will they keep faith and bankroll a head coach who was backed with a £450m transfer outlay last summer, or cut their losses to make a fresh start?

From BBC • May 13, 2026

The outlay can be even more substantial when a multistory home is involved.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The outlay has some investors nervous, with shares down 25% on the year to $145.54 as of Monday’s close of trading.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

It added more expenses to an already-astronomical outlay for artificial intelligence.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The amount spent for research was therefore a small fraction of 1 per cent of the outlay for the chemical program.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• disbursement
• expenditure
• expense
• investment
• price tag
• spending