1. the amount of money needed to buy, do, or make something
Usage: plural of cost
2. legal expenses that must be paid by the losing party in a court case
Usage: legal term

1. third person singular present of cost; to require payment of a specified amount

Examples

• The costs of running a business keep increasing.
• Medical costs have risen dramatically this year.
• The judge ordered him to pay all court costs.
• This car costs more than I can afford.
• Living in the city costs a lot of money.
• The project costs will exceed our budget.
• She calculated the total costs before making a decision.