expendable

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​pend·​able ik-ˈspen-də-bəl How to pronounce expendable (audio)
: that may be expended: such as
a
: normally used up or consumed in service
expendable supplies like pencils and paper
b
: more easily or economically replaced than rescued, salvaged, or protected
expendability noun

expendable

2 of 2

noun

: one that is expendable
usually used in plural

Examples of expendable in a Sentence

Adjective employees whose jobs are considered expendable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The expendable, two-stage Terran 1 flew for the first and only time in March 2023, notching a number of milestones but failing to reach orbit. Mike Wall, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2025 The Vikings might view Garrett Bradbury as expendable after signing Ryan Kelly. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
One expendable named Mickey (Robert Pattinson) is part of a mission to colonize a distant planet, under the authority of a sleazily predatory and demagogic politician, Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo). Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025 Once Mickey dies, the scientists simply print another version of the expendable to take his place. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expendable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1805, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of expendable was in 1805

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expendable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expendable. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

expendable

adjective
ex·​pend·​able
ik-ˈspen-də-bəl
: normally used up in service
expendable supplies like pencils and paper
expendability
-ˌspen-də-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
expendable noun
expendably
-ˈspen-də-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on expendable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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