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 launcher's inaugural launch in March 2023, after numerous delays, suffered a second-stage engine failure, leading controllers to issue a destruct command to destroy the stage and its ALOS-3 payload. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025 These developments made fourth-year center Jericho Sims expendable. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
In the film, Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes, a space colonist known as an expendable. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025 In the novel, Mickey 7 is a space colonist known as an expendable. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 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

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Cite this Entry

“Expendable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expendable. Accessed 1 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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