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 of appropriation

• subsidy
• grant
• allotment

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

The $1 million was included at Matsui’s request in the fiscal 2026 budget in January and became law April 30 as part of a congressional appropriations package. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Those appropriations will need to be approved by the Maryland General Assembly and Baltimore County Council. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

The focus, according to their proposal, will be on contexts of appropriation, chains of ownership, and the significance of the artifacts to contemporary Cameroon. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Congress has failed to pass all appropriations bills by the beginning of the fiscal year, for the thirtieth year in a row. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see appropriate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing appropriation

• cultural appropriation

Rhymes for appropriation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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