quota

American  

[kwoh-tuh] / ˈkwoʊ tə /

noun

1. the share or proportional part of a total that is required from, or is due or belongs to, a particular district, state, person, group, etc.

   Synonyms:

   allocation, apportionment, allotment

2. a proportional part or share of a fixed total amount or quantity.

3. the number or percentage of persons of a specified kind permitted to enroll in a college, join a club, immigrate to a country, etc.

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quota British  

/ ˈkwəʊtə /

noun

1. the proportional share or part of a whole that is due from, due to, or allocated to a person or group

2. a prescribed number or quantity, as of items to be manufactured, imported, or exported, immigrants admitted to a country, or students admitted to a college

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Etymology

Origin of quota

1660–70; < Medieval Latin, short for Latin quota pars how great a part?

Example Sentences

There has been speculation that members may resume production increases starting in April, he said, after the group decided to leave output quotas unchanged for the first quarter of 2026.

From MarketWatch

Many warn, however, that only about half of any quota increase typically translates into actual output, as some members face capacity constraints.

From The Wall Street Journal

Waitrose said its initiative was aimed at safeguarding "the long-term health and sustainability of our oceans", criticising government quotas as still too high.

From Barron's

But he was the only Brit to compete, with Team GB unable to fill their quota of three athletes.

From BBC

“Like quotas and embargoes, tariffs are a traditional and common tool to regulate importation,” he wrote in a 63-page dissent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allocation
• allotment
• allowance
• measure