operating cost
- noun
- /ˈɑːpəˌreɪtɪŋ kɔst/
- Specialized
- The company is working to lower its operating costs by improving efficiency and reducing waste.
- reduce operating costs
- minimize operating costs
- low operating costs
What this means is that with operating costs and debt, that means that your occupancies have to be super high to cover it.
- What this means is that with operating costs and debt, that means that your occupancies have to be super high to cover it.
Examples
-
Our operating costs are up 30% from last quarter.
-
The reduction of 8,524 aircraft-kilometers, a 41 percent savings, would significantly pare overall operating costs.
Academic text (1990) -
The board is chosen by government and its operating costs are paid for by our taxes.
-
Demand management measures that reduce water use should also result in reduced operating costs and reduced revenues.
Academic text (1992) -
The price tag is usually a little higher; however, operating costs will likely be dramatically reduced.
Blog text (17) -
U Link will be covering over 50% of its operating costs shortly after it opens.
Blog text (19) -
Even when the operating costs of recycling are attractive, there may be capital barriers to change.
Academic text (1994) -
The result is mounting pressure for rural hospitals to control operating costs.
Academic text (1993) -
The provinces utilize global budgeting to provide funds for the hospitals to cover operating costs.
Academic text (1996) -
Another potentially important omitted factor is non-fuel operating cost, consisting of maintenance, depreciation, etc.
Academic text (1999)
Synonyms
Regular costs of running a business like rent and utilities
A cost you pay while running a business, often needed for work
A regular cost for running a business, for example rent or electricity
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'expense incurred in maintaining and running a property or business' is directly derivable from combining 'operate' (to run or manage) with 'cost' (a monetary amount). This adjective-noun composition is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Operating cost comes from a simple image: the word operating means 'running' and cost means 'money spent'. Think of a factory or house that needs fuel, electricity, repairs and people every month; all these regular payments are operating cost. So, the phrase means the regular money needed to keep a business or property working.