petty cash

noun

1. a cash fund for paying small charges, as for minor office supplies or deliveries.

petty cash

noun

1. a small cash fund kept on a firm's premises for the payment of minor incidental expenses

Word History and Origins

Origin of petty cash¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

“To pass the time during the tedious afternoons of balancing petty cash,” he wrote in his book, “I began swapping absurd stories on the telephone with my friend Ed Gallagher, who worked in advertising.”

From Los Angeles Times

So Landis and one of the producers, George Folsey Jr., went outside regulations, casting children of mutual acquaintances, keeping their names out of the production’s official paperwork and paying them in petty cash.

From New York Times

According to the organization’s website, participants “learn everything from walkie-talkies to petty cash reconciliation, from lock-up to Who’s Who on the job, as well as office and on-set practices and protocols.”

From Los Angeles Times

The next step is first assistant accountant, who tracks and manages daily spending on such things as labor, petty cash and per diem expenses, while also dealing with vendor costs, such as for materials, locations and stages.

From Los Angeles Times

The thief stole some petty cash from Johnny Doughnuts’ office in the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday night, police said.

From Seattle Times