Dictionary
cost
Pronunciation: (kôst, kost), [key]
—n., v., cost or, for 11–13, cost•ed, cost•ing.
—
n.
1. the price paid to acquire, produce, accomplish, or maintain anything:
the high cost of a good meal.
2. an outlay or expenditure of money, time, labor, trouble, etc.:
What will the cost be to me?
3. a sacrifice, loss, or penalty:
to work at the cost of one's health.
4. costs, Law.
a. money allowed to a successful party in a lawsuit in compensation for legal expenses incurred, chargeable to the unsuccessful party.
b. money due to a court or one of its officers for services in a cause.
5. at all costs, regardless of the effort involved; by any means necessary:
The stolen painting must be recovered at all costs. Also,at any cost.
—
v.t.
1. to require the payment of (money or something else of value) in an exchange:
That camera cost $200.
2. to result in or entail the loss of:
Carelessness costs lives.
3. to cause to lose or suffer:
The accident cost her a broken leg.
4. to entail (effort or inconvenience):
Courtesy costs little.
5. to cause to pay or sacrifice:
That request will cost us two weeks' extra work.
6. to estimate or determine the cost of (manufactured articles, new processes, etc.).
—
v.i.
1. to estimate or determine costs, as of manufacturing something.
2. cost out, to calculate the cost of (a project, product, etc.) in advance:
to cost out a major construction project. cost-
var. of
costo- before a vowel:
costate. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
