indirect cost

noun

: a cost that is not identifiable with a specific product, function, or activity

Examples of indirect cost in a Sentence

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.
The group has engaged a team of experts with deep knowledge of direct and indirect costs, the current F&A cost structure, university finance, grant administration, regulatory compliance, research project leadership, and more. Charles L. Welch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 Given the uncertainty surrounding the interactions of the predator with livestock, the UC Davis researchers sought to quantify both the direct and indirect costs associated with wolf population expansion. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025 The administration has proposed significant reductions in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, mainly targeting indirect costs that support research infrastructure. A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2025 The National Institute of Health is also implementing a 15% cap on research reimbursements for indirect costs, such as support staff wages and lab maintenance. Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indirect cost

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indirect cost was circa 1909

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indirect cost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirect%20cost. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!