Outlay means the amount of money you spend on something, especially at the beginning of a project or venture. When your parents consider the outlay for new soccer equipment, they're thinking about the total cost: cleats, shin guards, a ball, and maybe a team uniform. When a business plans to open a new store, the initial outlay includes rent, furniture, inventory, and signs.

The word emphasizes actual money going out rather than just planning or budgeting. If you're raising money for a charity bake sale, you might need to calculate your outlay for ingredients before you can figure out your profit. A family planning a vacation considers their outlay for hotels, food, and activities.

Outlay often suggests a significant amount being spent all at once, particularly when starting something new. A small outlay might be five dollars for poster board, while a major outlay could be thousands of dollars for a new car. The word helps distinguish between money you're spending now and costs that will come later, or money you hope to earn back eventually.