Expense Report: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：reimbursement form (expense report)

expense report 🔊

/ɪkˈspɛns rɪˈpɔːrt/

A document where you list all the money you spent for work, like travel or meals, so your company can pay you back.

Expense report form with receipts for reimbursement

reimbursement form 🔊

➕

/ˌriː.ɪmˈbɜːrs.mənt fɔːrm/

A formal document listing work-related expenses incurred by an employee, submitted to an employer for repayment.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'expensa' (expenditure) + 'reportare' (to bring back).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'I spent money for work, so I report it to get my money back.'

📖 Example

After my business trip, I spent an hour filling out my expense report with all the train tickets and hotel receipts. 🔊 After my business trip, I spent an hour filling out my expense report with all the train tickets and hotel receipts.

🔗 Collocations

submit an expense report – hand in a document listing work costs for repayment

fill out an expense report – complete the form with details of expenses incurred

approve an expense report – authorize reimbursement after reviewing the costs

🔄 Synonyms

travel claim (n.) – A request for reimbursement of travel-related expenses

reimbursement form (n.) – A document used to claim repayment for out-of-pocket costs

cost report (n.) – A summary of business expenses submitted for approval

📖 Cultural Story

Expense reports became standard in 20th-century corporate accounting, enabling employees to request repayment for business-related costs like travel and supplies.