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
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
Following the longest federal shutdown in the country’s history last year, Congress completed work on 11 of this year’s 12 appropriations bills.
—
Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
As a stopgap, lawmakers can agree to independently finance TSA agent payrolls—separating appropriations for what already has bipartisan support, and what remains controversial.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The question of appreciation versus appropriation in mah-jongg is one that Florian Koenigsberger thinks about every day.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
The $15 million Early Childhood Educator Loan Repayment Program will give eligible educators up to $7,500 per recipient per year, subject to appropriation, state officials said.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriation
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Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
As a stopgap, lawmakers can agree to independently finance TSA agent payrolls—separating appropriations for what already has bipartisan support, and what remains controversial.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The question of appreciation versus appropriation in mah-jongg is one that Florian Koenigsberger thinks about every day.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
The $15 million Early Childhood Educator Loan Repayment Program will give eligible educators up to $7,500 per recipient per year, subject to appropriation, state officials said.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriation
Cite this Entry
“Appropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appropriation. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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