cost-benefit analysis

noun

A methodology to help appraise or assess the case for a project or proposal, by estimating the net cost or benefit of the project of proposal.

Meanings

nouncost-benefit analysis (countable and uncountable, plural cost-benefit analyses)

plural cost-benefit analyses · alternative cost benefit analysis

  1. countableuncountablebusinessA methodology to help appraise or assess the case for a project or proposal, by estimating the net cost or benefit of the project of proposal.
    1 more example

    Gratifying as it is to read such editorials even in the press which supports Mr. Marples' party—and to learn that the G.N. Line's London suburban electrification is at last being given a cost-benefit analysis of the kind which overwhelmingly justified the L.T. Victoria Line […] but years later than need have been […]

    1963 June, “Second thoughts on Beeching”, in Modern Railways, page 361
  2. countableuncountableAny comparison of costs and benefits.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 成本效益分析
  • 成本效益分析 (chéngběn xiàoyì fēnxi)methodology to appraise the case for a project
Dutch kosten-batenanalyse
  • kosten-batenanalysemethodology to appraise the case for a project
Esperanto kostutileca analizo
  • kostutileca analizomethodology to appraise the case for a project
Finnish kustannus-hyötyanalyysi
  • kustannus-hyötyanalyysimethodology to appraise the case for a project
German Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse, Kosten-Nutzen-Rechnung
  • Kosten-Nutzen-Analysemethodology to appraise the case for a project
  • Kosten-Nutzen-Rechnungmethodology to appraise the case for a project
Hungarian költség-haszon elemzés
  • költség-haszon elemzésmethodology to appraise the case for a project
Indonesian analisis biaya-keuntungan, analisis biaya-manfaat
  • analisis biaya-keuntunganmethodology to appraise the case for a project
  • analisis biaya-manfaatmethodology to appraise the case for a project
Cite this entry
APA

cost-benefit analysis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cost-benefit%20analysis

MLA

“cost-benefit analysis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cost-benefit%20analysis. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cost-benefit analysis,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cost-benefit%20analysis.

Source: cost-benefit analysis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.