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

The federal government won’t publish a typical jobs report for October due to a lapse in appropriations.

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These first big-spending appropriations bills help explain why fiscal conservatives are working to deny Senator Collins a whip hand in formulating remaining appropriations bills.

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Many basic visitor services are funded by congressional appropriation.

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The next GOP priority should be a spending bill for the U.S. military, which urgently needs the certainty of an appropriation to upgrade technology and equipment.

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Senate lawmakers were also expected to consider three separate appropriations bills to fund military construction, veterans affairs, the legislative branch, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture, collectively called the “minibus.”

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Related Words

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