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 Mexican government has taken on famous brands such as Adidas, Shein, Zara and Carolina Herrera for the alleged cultural appropriation of traditional designs.

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

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 • Dec. 4, 2025

Penn State asked for, and was approved to receive, some $410.5 million in state appropriation funding for the 2026-’27 year.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 13, 2025

Those sensations trended toward a broader embrace — and appropriation — of Eastern culture among American artists.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2025

There was talk now among the directors of seeking a $10 million appropriation from Congress, but the only immediate solution was to reduce expenditures.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

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