allegation

American  

[al-i-gey-shuhn] / ˌæl ɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of alleging; affirmation.

   Synonyms:

   contention, claim, accusation, charge

2. an assertion made with little or no proof.

   Synonyms:

   contention, claim, accusation, charge

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

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

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allegation British  

/ ˌælɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of alleging

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

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Usage

What does allegation mean? An allegation is an accusation or claim that something wrong has been done, especially a crime. The word often implies that the thing claimed has not been confirmed or proven or that the claim has been made without proof or before proof is available. Allegation is the noun form of the verb allege, meaning to claim without proof or before proof is available. Related forms include the adjective alleged and the adverb allegedly. The word allegation is most commonly used in a legal context, especially in journalism in reports about a person who has been accused of a crime or other wrongdoing but who has not been convicted. Using the word allegation allows journalists to talk about accusations without seeming to presume guilt (and getting sued for libel). Example: We will prove that the allegations against my client are absolutely baseless.

Other Word Forms

• misallegation noun
• nonallegation noun
• preallegation noun
• reallegation noun

Etymology

Origin of allegation

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; legal ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

An allegation is an accusation, which is sometimes true and sometimes not. If you say your sister stole a candy bar but you don't have any proof that she did it, you have made an allegation. In the legal system, an allegation is a formal claim against someone. It sparks an investigation that leads to someone being proven innocent or found guilty. In everyday use, however, an allegation is what someone thinks, whether or not there is proof. For example, if someone makes an allegation that you're a terrible driver, they might base it on their own experience, but they won't be able to prove it.

Example Sentences

"I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

"But if the allegation is that insurgents used the market, that makes their claim very baseless."

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

"I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Swalwell has denied the allegation, calling it “flat false” and rejecting any suggestion of wrongdoing.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Then there was the troubling allegation that Lott actually invented some of the survey data that support his more-guns/ less-crime theory.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• accusation
• charge
• claim
• plea
• statement