allegation

[ al-i-gey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for allegation on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act of alleging; affirmation.

  2. an assertion made with little or no proof.

  1. an assertion made by a party in a legal proceeding, which the party then undertakes to prove.

  2. a statement offered as a plea, excuse, or justification.

Origin of allegation

1
1375–1425; late Middle English <Latin allēgātiōn- (stem of allēgātiō), equivalent to allēgāt(us), past participle of allēgāre to adduce in support of a plea (al-al- + -lēgāre, derivative of lēx law; see legal) + -iōn--ion

Other words for allegation

Other words from allegation

  • mis·al·le·ga·tion, noun
  • non·al·le·ga·tion, noun
  • pre·al·le·ga·tion, noun
  • re·al·le·ga·tion, noun

Words Nearby allegation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use allegation in a sentence

  • "I admit going to Thillot, but I deny your allegation," cried Paul in quick protest.

    The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le Queux
  • No allegation against him had been made through the press, but the Times came to the rescue before the attack.

    The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.
  • The allegation that the knowing is observed is that which may be denied.

    The Analysis of Mind | Bertrand Russell
  • Who can question the allegation that it is an immensely important national work?

    The Old Pike | Thomas B. Searight
  • Chronology must have forbidden James to attach weight to the latter allegation, if he had cared for it.

    Sir Walter Ralegh | William Stebbing

British Dictionary definitions for allegation

allegation

/ (ˌælɪˈɡeɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the act of alleging

  2. an unproved statement or assertion, esp one in an accusation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012