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

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

From Seattle Times

“We want the government to provide emergency services like helping fund tickets, food, petty cash, and cellphones and emergent medical needs on arrival,” Vazquez said.

From Washington Post

“Was that yours? The undertaker wouldn’t take poor Rose without having half the cost upfront, and I knew that Rose kept some petty cash here for the household.”

From Literature