entitlement

[ en-tahy-tl-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of giving, or the state of having, a title, right, or claim to something:

   She supported legislation to improve the lot of the elderly, including the entitlement of senior citizens to vote by absentee ballot.

2. a provision, amount, etc., to which one is entitled; a right:

   A good education is the moral entitlement of every child.

   Temporary teachers receive most of the entitlements of permanent teachers, including annual salary, on a prorated basis.

3. a government program, such as Social Security or unemployment insurance, that provides a benefit to eligible participants, or the benefit provided by such a program:

   Eligibility for this insurance program will be affected if there is also a Medicare entitlement.

4. the unjustified assumption that one has a right to certain advantages, preferential treatment, etc.:

   "Their sense of entitlement—I don't want to call it arrogance—makes dealing with some people difficult,'' said the senator.

Word History and Origins

Origin of entitlement¹

First recorded in 1825–35; entitle + -ment

Example Sentences

While the creative language sheds little daylight on what those programs actually entail, it seems that Musk wants to take the axe to a range of scientific projects sponsored by the government that he may or may not understand and which add up to far less than any federal entitlement program.

From Salon

When she does speak, during a pivotal moment in Edward Berger’s film, it’s from a place of truth, rather than authority or entitlement.

From Los Angeles Times

You'll usually do this in the first week of your course and you may have to take along your student finance entitlement letter.

From BBC

These Trumpists, like the much larger mass of them in all parts of the United States, radiated entitlement and menace.

From Salon

"At the end of the day, it's your money, it’s not the government's money, so if you've got any entitlement to a refund then absolutely take it," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• advantage
• allowance
• authority
• authorization
• benefit
• concession
• due
• exemption
• freedom
• immunity
• license
• opportunity
• prerogative
• right