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

The company repeatedly denied those allegations, but that didn’t stop some American allies — such as the UK — limiting Huawei’s role in building 5G networks. —Diksha Madhok, CNN, 24 June 2024

After the allegations became public and the women’s names surfaced, Belknap said, the three were publicly shamed during the trial. —Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2024

In the months since Noel's initial court hearing, a prosecutor has filed 16 additional felony charges against him, which all stem from allegations detailed in an Indiana State Police investigation that began in June 2023. —Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 23 June 2024

Burleson police are investigating allegations of animal abuse by a local dog trainer, officials said. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see 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