variable cost

American  

noun

1. a cost that varies with a change in the volume of output while remaining uniform on a per-unit basis, as cost of labor (distinguished from fixed cost).

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variable cost British  

noun

1. a cost that varies directly with output

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Example Sentences

On the variable cost side of the coin, spending on graphics processing units and data centers, as well as massive electricity bills, are sending tech companies’ capital-light models the way of the dial-up modem.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

The TCO will switch towards EV, even though the variable cost of an EV is higher than what we were used to in the combustion era.

From The Verge • Jun. 21, 2022

“It’s just getting the word out,” he said, adding Breeze was profitable on many routes on a variable cost basis.

From Reuters • Aug. 18, 2021

The city has piloted variable cost parking according to demand in the past but where is the citywide implementation?

From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2017

Therefore, we can write This expression represents a variable cost because it changes according to the number of miles driven.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015