appropriation

[ uh-proh-pree-ey-shuhn ]

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.

appropriation

/ 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

appropriation

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 .)

Other Words From

• proap·propri·ation adjective
• reap·propri·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin appropriātiōn- (stem of appropriātiō ). See appropriate, -ion

Example Sentences

Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled over the weekend that appropriations decisions might be deferred to early 2025.

From Salon

For Kenyan musician and producer Tabu Osusa, it heralds the risk of cultural appropriation - with AI passing off African sounds without acknowledging their source.

From BBC

It's still just barely within the realm of possibility that Democrats can win control of the House, which would add a necessary check on budgeting and appropriations.

From Salon

Indeed, the Congressional Research Service, in a close examination of the Assets Forfeiture Fund in 2015, found that for most purposes, the fund was the beneficiary of “a permanent appropriation” by Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

To fund completion of the border wall, Arthur expected Trump would declare a border emergency or draw upon military assets or go to Congress for a special supplemental appropriation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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