operating costs
nounUK /ˈɒpəreɪtɪŋ kɒsts/
US /ˈɑːpəreɪtɪŋ kɔːsts/
The money a business spends to keep running every day.
The bakery's operating costs include flour, electricity, and paying the bakers.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The regular expenses of running a machine or vehicle, like fuel and repairs.
The operating costs of the old truck were too high, so they bought a new one.
3. The money needed to keep a service or organization going, such as staff and supplies.
The school's operating costs rose when heating prices went up.
4. Expenses that happen even when nothing is being sold, like rent and insurance.
Even in a slow month, the shop still has to pay its operating costs.