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

Monster Energy became the entitlement sponsor of Big 12 football and basketball regular seasons, meaning conference games will be branded as Monster Energy Big 12 Football, commissioner Brett Yormark announced. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Matt Tapp, director of acquisitions and entitlements at Griffin Riley, said Monday that the project represents several years of close collaboration with city officials. — Ilana Arougheti july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Public safety, education and child care, and protecting seniors’ entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. — Brent Andersen, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Michele Ragusa oozes entitlement and displeasure as Bobby’s mom, known only as Mother. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 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