appropriation

American  

[uh-proh-pree-ey-shuhn] / əˌproʊ priˈeɪ ʃən /

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.

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appropriation British  

/ 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

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appropriation Cultural  

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.)

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Other Word Forms

• proappropriation adjective
• reappropriation noun

Etymology

Origin of appropriation

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

Example Sentences

“The more appropriations that can pass means that another potential government shutdown would be less onerous,” Krueger said in a note.

From MarketWatch

Thus, Coogler’s vampire story doubles as a parable about cultural appropriation and assimilation, one among many readings he incorporates into the movie.

From Salon

"We have tools in appropriations bills and other tools to force compliance if somebody is dragging their feet and I'd rather focus on those tools," Kaine said.

From BBC

At one extreme of the debate are those who consider it the ultimate form of cultural appropriation; at the other, adoptive parents who thought they were performing a selfless act.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under the Constitution’s appropriations clause, only Congress can authorize such spending.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• allotment
• allowance
• donation
• funding
• grant
• provision
• stipend
• subsidy