cost

Syllabification: (cost)

Pronunciation: /kôst/

Definition of cost

[with object]

1(of an object or an action) require the payment of (a specified sum of money) before it can be acquired or done:each issue of the magazine costs $2.25
cause the loss of:driving at more than double the speed limit cost the woman her driving license
informal be expensive for (someone):if you want to own an island, it’ll cost you

2 (past and past participle costed) estimate the price of:it is their job to plan and cost a media schedule for the campaign

an amount that has to be paid or spent to buy or obtain something:we are able to cover the cost of the event health care costs the tunnel has been built at no cost to the state
the effort, loss, or sacrifice necessary to achieve or obtain something:she averted a train accident at the cost of her life

Phrases

at all costs (or at any cost): regardless of the price to be paid or the effort needed:he was anxious to avoid war at all costs
at cost: at cost price; without profit to the seller.
cost an arm and a leg: see arm¹.
cost someone dearly (or dear): involve someone in a serious loss or a heavy penalty:they were really bad mistakes on my part and they cost us dearly

Middle English: from Old French coust (noun), couster (verb), based on Latin constare 'stand firm, stand at a price'

Definition of cost in the British & World English dictionary