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

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

The appropriation, which requires City Council approval, would fund 80 projects, with construction of 1,528 new units and repairs to more than 2,500 affordable units in need of work.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“Just building a fixed facility in and of itself does not qualify as territorial appropriation or territorial sovereignty.”

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

She then delivered a speech that denounced the notion of cultural appropriation and its deadening effects on literature.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

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

The directors of the Exposition Company did decide to seek a direct appropriation from Congress, but their request triggered a congressional investigation of the fair’s expenditures.

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

Related Words

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