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

Example Sentences

Since I entered Congress in 2011, we should have passed 180 appropriations bills before the start of the fiscal year they were funding.

From The Wall Street Journal

Set in 1930s Mississippi, “Sinners” is a tale of vampires and blues music, cultural appropriation and the enduring relevance of Black art.

From Los Angeles Times

But Ward’s effort to revive his program last year failed to pass the Assembly appropriations committee.

From Los Angeles Times

He noted that Congress’s recent passage of defense appropriations for fiscal 2026 could help get the deal finalized.

From The Wall Street Journal

Millions of dollars Tennessee GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann scored in earmarks in this year’s appropriations bills—the largest total in the House.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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