prime cost

American  

noun

1. that part of the cost of a commodity deriving from the labor and materials directly utilized in its manufacture.

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prime cost British  

noun

1. Also called: variable cost.  the portion of the cost of a commodity that varies directly with the amount of it produced, principally comprising materials and labour Compare overheads

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Etymology

Origin of prime cost

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

Labor is indeed a prime cost factor in an industry that has never been able to mechanize to any great extent.

From Time Magazine Archive

We cannot for a moment suppose that these holy disinterested missionaries would charge a farthing; above the prime cost in pursuing their "glorious work."

From Religion In The Heavens Or, Mythology Unveiled in a Series of Lectures by Mitchell, Logan

A linen-draper having advertised his stock to be sold under prime cost, a neighbor observed that, "It was impossible, as he had never paid a farthing for it himself."

From The Jest Book The Choicest Anecdotes and Sayings by Lemon, Mark

The prime cost of a dozen-case, each bottle containing about a quart, fitted with wooden divisions and packed with husks, chaff, or sawdust, is 3_s_.

From To The Gold Coast for Gold, Vol. II A Personal Narrative by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

Two sailing packets would be sufficient to perform this work, giving two mails each month; prime cost, 9500l. each = 19,000l. and yearly charges 4200l. each, or 8400l.

From A General Plan for a Mail Communication by Steam, Between Great Britain and the Eastern and Western Parts of the World by MacQueen, James