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

But Mr Bichi, chairman of the influential House Committee on Appropriation and a member of Mr Tinubu's ruling party, told local journalists that lawmakers had declined to approve the allocation for a presidential yacht.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2023

It is, rather, based entirely on the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899, an old but still relevant law that was invoked twice in a recent Supreme Court opinion.

From Slate • Jul. 26, 2023

The 1899 Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act, for instance, secured wetlands as parts of navigable waterways.

From Scientific American • Apr. 2, 2022

Also in 1816, the legislature passed what was known as the Appropriation Act.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2020

Discussion in the House on the Appropriation Bill, 562.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 1. No 1, June 1850 by Various

Related Words

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