appropriation

noun

ap·​pro·​pri·​a·​tion ə-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce appropriation (audio)
Synonyms of appropriationnext
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pew says the cost to administer the program is expected to be $500,000, with a one-year appropriation of $1 million to set it up. Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 19 May 2026 Ars previously wrote about this legislation, which raised some eyebrows, as this is a large appropriation for a relatively straightforward spacecraft. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026 It was created to ensure that settlements by and judgments against the government could be paid out without individual appropriations being made each time. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026 Roughly $600 million of that reserve fund has been certified by the state Department of Revenue and is available for appropriation, the city’s Chief Financial Officer Ashley Groffenberger said Monday on a call with reporters. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for appropriation

Word History

Etymology

see appropriate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of appropriation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appropriation. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

appropriation

noun
ap·​pro·​pri·​a·​tion ə-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce appropriation (audio)
1
: an act or instance of appropriating
2
: a sum of money appropriated for a specific use

More from Merriam-Webster on appropriation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster