[kawst, kost]
  4. costs, Law.
verb (used with object), cost or for 10, cost·ed; cost·ing.
  6. to estimate or determine the cost of (manufactured articles, new processes, etc.): We have costed the manufacture of each item.
verb (used without object), cost·ed or cost; cost·ing.
Verb Phrases past and past participle cost·ed or cost; present participle cost·ing.
  1. cost out, to calculate the cost of (a project, product, etc.) in advance: The firm that hired him just costed out a major construction project last month.
  1. at all costs, regardless of the effort involved; by any means necessary: The stolen painting must be recovered at all costs.Also at any cost.

Origin of cost

Related formscost·less, adjectivecost·less·ness, nounre·cost, verb (used with object), re·cost, re·cost·ing.

Synonyms for cost

1. charge, expense, expenditure, outlay. See price. 3. detriment. Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for at all costs


  2. suffering or sacrifice; loss; penaltycount the cost to your health; I know to my cost
    1. the amount paid for a commodity by its sellerto sell at cost
    2. (as modifier)the cost price
  3. (plural) law the expenses of judicial proceedings
  4. at any cost or at all costs regardless of cost or sacrifice involved
  5. at the cost of at the expense of losing
verb costs, costing or cost
  1. (tr) to be obtained or obtainable in exchange for (money or something equivalent); be priced atthe ride cost one pound
  2. to cause or require the expenditure, loss, or sacrifice (of)the accident cost him dearly
Derived Formscostless, adjective

Word Origin for cost


Word Origin and History for at all costs







Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with at all costs

at all costs

Also, at any cost or price. Regardless of the expense or effort involved, by any means. For example, Ann told the doctor to preserve her mother's sight at all costs, or It seems the company plans to develop the product at any cost, or I'm determined to get vacation time at any price. [Mid-1800s]


see arm and a leg, cost an; at all costs; pretty penny, cost a.
