entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt 

en-

1

a

: the state or condition of being entitled : right

b

: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract

2

: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges

3

: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group

also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

Synonyms of entitlement

• subsidy
• grant
• allotment
• appropriation

Examples of entitlement in a Sentence

my entitlement to a refund

celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement

entitlements such as medical aid for the elderly and poor

Recent Examples on the Web

The Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees a portion of the loan issued by private lenders — a structure called an entitlement — which lets customers secure a 0% down payment. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Sorry but this nepotism and bravolebrity entitlement does not put him above the law. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Mark’s ambition, entitlement, and do-gooding hypocrisy have clearly undercut his family’s needs, and now, this high-pressure situation is exposing all these simmering domestic conflicts. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026

Instead of displaying their trademark hunger Sunday, the Dodgers had an air of entitlement, failing to do the little things, forgetting to show that fear that got them here. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Legal Definition

entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment

1

: the state or condition of being entitled : claim

evidence of victim's entitlement to money seized

—National Law Journal

2

: a right to benefits that is granted especially by law or contract (as an insurance policy)

Note: Some courts have held that entitlements are a property interest and therefore subject to procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when denied by federal or state governments.

3

: a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement

also : the benefits distributed by such a program