operating cost
noun [ C, usually plural ]
ACCOUNTING ukus (also operating expense)
a cost relating to producing a company's goods or services:
cut/increase/reduce operating costs The company plans to cut operating costs by £1.2bn a year.
Operating costs for marketing were incorporated into overall sales figures.
a cost involved in using a machine, piece of equipment, building, etc.:
high/low operating costs The floodlight uses one of the most common lamp series in use, for greater availability at lower operating costs.