appropriation

[ uh-proh-pree-ey-shuhn ]

/ əˌproʊ priˈeɪ ʃən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: appropriation / appropriations on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of appropriating or taking possession of something, often without permission or consent.

anything appropriated for a special purpose, especially money.

an act of a legislature authorizing money to be paid from the treasury for a specified use.

the money thus authorized: a large appropriation for aid to libraries.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of appropriation

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

OTHER WORDS FROM appropriation

pro·ap·pro·pri·a·tion, adjectivere·ap·pro·pri·a·tion, noun

Words nearby appropriation

approbative, appropriable, appropriacy, appropriate, appropriately, appropriation, approvable, approval, approve, approved school, approved social worker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use appropriation in a sentence

Debate over Fed’s powers prove stumbling block to stimulus talksAides close to the negotiations said a short-term bill to extend government funding was unlikely to be approved on Friday, meaning government appropriations would lapse Saturday morning.
Government funding appears likely to expire Friday night as Congress tries to complete stimulus deal|Jeff Stein, Mike DeBonis, Lisa Rein, Rachel Siegel|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
It’s closer to tourist cuisine — discovered on trips to the United States and often served to American travelers, or Americans living here — but served with a certain amount of nostalgia and admiration, rather than appropriation.
The New Soul Food of Paris|Alexander Hurst|December 10, 2020|Eater
For these schools, the conversation around Native mascots is about authentic representation rather than appropriation.
Hundreds Of Schools Are Still Using Native Americans As Team Mascots|Hope Allchin|October 12, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Creating multi-year appropriations that provide funding for more than just a single fiscal year could help those programs survive changes in government.
We need to shield the US space program from election cycle chaos|Neel Patel|October 5, 2020|MIT Technology Review

The appropriation was the result of a lawsuit that claimed discriminatory state funding in decades past.
A Pandemic Problem, Or Just an Excuse to Deny HBCUs More Funding?|Truthbetold|July 7, 2020|TruthBeTold.news
In this way, inspiration becomes appropriation, which leads directly to theft and erasure.
The Cultural Crimes of Iggy Azalea|Amy Zimmerman|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were equally amazed to learn that Ed Piskor was white, but not a word was said about cultural exploitation or appropriation.
Bam! Pow! Bling! Hip-Hop's History Gets the Graphic Novel Treatment|Daniel Genis|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There would probably be a long talk about cultural appropriation if that movie were to come out now with a non-Latino actor.
'Archer Creator Adam Reed on 'Vice,' Season 6's 'Unreboot,' and New Characters|Marlow Stern|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The grand old empires (including the ones in Africa) were all about rampant interethnic appropriation.
You Can’t ‘Steal’ a Culture: In Defense of Cultural Appropriation|John McWhorter|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But over time, the concept of cultural appropriation has morphed into a parody of the original idea.
You Can’t ‘Steal’ a Culture: In Defense of Cultural Appropriation|John McWhorter|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And this act of appropriation, as well as of bearing testimony, he afterwards repeated.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
The owner of the corn and hogs made strenuous objections to this appropriation of his property.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
When they hear of trouble on the Mountain the selectmen look the other way, and pass an appropriation to beautify the town pump.
Summer|Edith Wharton
The reply was: An annual appropriation so long as the military organization was maintained at the University.
The Supplies for the Confederate Army|Caleb Huse
The specific appropriation of some distinctive oath raised the presumption that it implied an unequivocal pledge of sincerity.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman

British Dictionary definitions for appropriation

appropriation

/ (əˌprəʊprɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the act of setting apart or taking for one's own use

a sum of money set apart for a specific purpose, esp by a legislature

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for appropriation

appropriation

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.)

appropriation

Origin of appropriation

OTHER WORDS FROM appropriation

Words nearby appropriation

Words related to appropriation

How to use appropriation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for appropriation

Cultural definitions for appropriation