appropriation

noun

ap·​pro·​pri·​a·​tion ə-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of appropriating something

2

: something that has been appropriated

specifically : money set aside by formal action for a specific use

the city's appropriation for schools

appropriative

ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• allocation
• allotment
• annuity
• entitlement
• grant
• subsidy
• subvention

Examples of appropriation in a Sentence

the appropriation of funds to repair the bridge

The economy has been weakened by the appropriation of the country's resources by corrupt officials.

Recent Examples on the Web

It is funded outside of the congressional appropriations process, and its funding comes from the Fed. —Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025

The Foreign Assistance Act, and then, of course, every appropriations bill that funds the State Department and foreign-ops budget. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2025

Redirecting funds from inefficient government spending in non-defense, non-veterans and non-homeland security discretionary appropriations accounts. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Coincidentally or not, the clip resurfaced on social media this year with accusations of cultural appropriation as Brody’s frontrunner position solidified. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see appropriate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

appropriation

noun

ap·​pro·​pri·​a·​tion ə-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of appropriating

2

: a sum of money appropriated for a specific use