appropriation

American  

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

noun

• appropriations
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• reappropriation
  noun
• proappropriation
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• appropriations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of appropriation

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

Explanation

Appropriation is the act of taking something, usually without permission, like stealing your brother's french fries when he is momentarily distracted. Appropriation originally referred to the taking of private property, usually by the government. Nowadays, appropriation can be positive or negative, but generally refers to taking something and making it your own — like your appropriation of different musical styles during your talent show performance or your company’s appropriation of new technology to improve their product. Appropriation can also refer to the setting aside of funds by the government for a specific purpose, like for improving school systems or supporting the arts.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

appropriation appropriations

Any such payment would in any case require congressional authorization, as the US Constitution bars the president from spending Treasury funds without an appropriation made by law.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

The project, now estimated to cost roughly $400 million, is supposedly being financed through private donations rather than a congressional appropriation.

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026

Plagiarism can be defined as the appropriation of someone else’s words or ideas without acknowledgment or compensation.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

In announcing its initial tiny home plan in January, the VA said funds would come from a 2025 appropriation but did not specify the amount.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

The committee left for Washington to study the evidence and report on whether an appropriation was warranted.

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

The limit applies to most other appropriations of tax revenue, including money that lawmakers tuck away into the “rainy day” fund and other reserves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Navatek targeted the powerful members who sat on the House and Senate appropriations committees.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

Washington usually responds to munitions shortages with new appropriations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

With few exceptions, the limit applies to most appropriations of tax revenue, including money that lawmakers tuck away into the rainy day fund and other reserves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

The statements made by Department witnesses seeking appropriations were not in accord with those contained in key publications of the Agriculture Department.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

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