allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-li-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of alleging something

2

: a positive assertion especially of misconduct

Some former colleagues have made serious allegations against him.

specifically : a statement by a party to a legal action of what the party undertakes to prove

3

: an assertion unsupported and by implication regarded as unsupportable

Examples of allegation in a Sentence

The police are investigating allegations that the mayor has accepted bribes.

There have been allegations of fraud in the city government.

You're making a serious allegation. Do you have any proof?

Recent Examples on the Web

Mitchell says the text messages do not cast doubt on Jane Doe’s allegations against Brown. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024

Now, Combs’ team is saying enough is enough with the apparent allegations. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 28 Oct. 2024

In the meantime, the mayor of Chicago is implicitly defending a major campaign contributor who, at the very least, appears to have attempted to flee the country as he was being sought to answer to allegations of heinous behavior. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2024

The shock firing and ensuing allegations have sent shockwaves within American cricket and is the latest wildfire for governing body USA Cricket, which in August appointed Johnathan Atkeison as its chief executive following a spate of resignations amid familiar warring. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English allegacion "formal declaration in court, argument offered as proof," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin allēgātiōn-, allēgātiō "representation on behalf of another, charge," from allēgāre "to adduce in support of a plea" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at allege

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌal-i-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of alleging

2

: something alleged

especially : a statement not supported by proof or evidence

allegations of criminal involvement

Legal Definition

allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-lə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of alleging

2

a

: a statement not yet proven

allegations in an affidavit

b

: a statement by a party to a lawsuit of what the party will attempt to prove : averment compare accusation, indictment, information, proof