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

But its appropriation process has come under more intense scrutiny in recent weeks after a supposedly fake investment promotion agency was found to have received allocations from the budget. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

The 2026 housing appropriation adopted by Congress this year boosted HACLA’s Section 8 funding by $138 million, Castro Ramirez said. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

McConnell questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the funding request during Senate hearings in May, saying that Pentagon budget items should not be separated out from the annual defense appropriations bill. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 July 2026

Many of the projects are supported by the State of Florida through appropriations or by university bonding and private donations. — Florida International University, Miami Herald, 1 July 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