appropriation

[uh-proh-pree-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of appropriating or taking possession of something, often without permission or consent.

2. anything appropriated for a special purpose, especially money.

3. an act of a legislature authorizing money to be paid from the treasury for a specified use.

4. the money thus authorized.

   a large appropriation for aid to libraries.

appropriation

/ əˌprəʊprɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of setting apart or taking for one's own use

2. a sum of money set apart for a specific purpose, esp by a legislature

appropriation

1. The grant of money by a legislature for some specific purpose. The authority to grant appropriations, popularly known as the power of the purse, gives legislatures a powerful check over executive branches and judicial branches, for no public money can be spent without legislative approval. Congress, for example, can approve or reject the annual budget requests of the executive branch for its agencies and programs, thereby influencing both domestic and foreign policy. (See also checks and balances and pork-barrel legislation.)

Other Word Forms

• proappropriation adjective
• reappropriation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin appropriātiōn- (stem of appropriātiō ). See appropriate, -ion

Example Sentences

Congress can pass a defense spending bill with targeted appropriations riders that prohibit funds from being used for specific unauthorized military operations.

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He said that DOE buying modest amounts of crude might be a way to motivate lawmakers, who are in the midst of an appropriation fight, to expand funding.

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The GOP will have taken the fraught step of breaking the filibuster for appropriations.

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Even with increasing protections for celebrity likenesses, critics warn that the casual “likeness appropriation” of any common person or situation could lead to public confusion, enhance misinformation and erode public trust.

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Songs like “Oh Ok” only add to the debate about ian’s race and appropriation.

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Related Words

• allotment 
• allowance 
• donation 
• funding www.thesaurus.com
• grant 
• provision 
• stipend 
• subsidy