budget

[ buhj-it ]

noun

1. an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future.
2. a plan of operations based on such an estimate.
3. an itemized allotment of funds, time, etc., for a given period.
4. the total sum of money set aside or needed for a purpose:

   the construction budget.

5. a limited stock or supply of something:

   his budget of goodwill.

6. Obsolete. a small bag; pouch.

adjective

1. reasonably or cheaply priced:

   budget dresses.

verb (used with object)

, budg·et·ed, budg·et·ing.

1. to plan allotment of (funds, time, etc.).
2. to deal with (specific funds) in a budget.

verb (used without object)

, budg·et·ed, budg·et·ing.

1. to subsist on or live within a budget.

budget

¹

/ ˈbʌdʒɪt /

noun

1. an itemized summary of expected income and expenditure of a country, company, etc, over a specified period, usually a financial year
2. an estimate of income and a plan for domestic expenditure of an individual or a family, often over a short period, such as a month or a week
3. a restriction on expenditure (esp in the phrase on a budget )
4. modifier economical; inexpensive

   budget meals for a family

5. the total amount of money allocated for a specific purpose during a specified period
6. archaic.
   a stock, quantity, or supply

verb

1. tr to enter or provide for in a budget
2. to plan the expenditure of (money, time, etc)
3. intr to make a budget

Budget

²

/ ˈbʌdʒɪt /

noun

1. the Budget
   an estimate of British government expenditures and revenues and the financial plans for the ensuing fiscal year presented annually to the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Derived Forms

• ˈbudgetary, adjective

Other Words From

• budg·et·ar·y [buhj, -i-ter-ee], adjective
• budget·er noun
• non·budget·ary adjective
• pre·budget noun adjective
• pre·budget·ary adjective
• pro-budget·ing adjective
• re·budget verb (used with object) rebudgeted rebudgeting
• un·budget·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of budget¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bowgett, from Middle French, bougette, from bouge “bag” (from Latin bulga; bulge ) + -ette -ette )

Word History and Origins

Origin of budget¹

C15 (meaning: leather pouch, wallet): from Old French bougette , diminutive of bouge , from Latin bulga , of Gaulish origin; compare Old English bælg bag

Example Sentences

Some of the money to fund these efforts could even come from part of the health savings in national budgets.

From Salon

Just be sure to leave a little room in your budget for magic; a bold flower you might have missed the first time can make your arrangement pop.

From Los Angeles Times

It proposes reducing or eliminating the 90% federal match rate, which would do nothing for enrollees and strain state budgets while preserving a few dollars for the feds.

From Los Angeles Times

With a much bigger budget and the weight of A24 behind him, though, Schimberg was given a list of established composers and was under some pressure to go with a “name.”

From Los Angeles Times

The city of Fresno initially pledged $3 million for the project but pulled the money back in February, citing a budget shortfall.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allocate
• calculate