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

The shooting caused some Democrats to call for appropriators to demand restrictions on ICE in appropriations legislation, such as Defense or Homeland Security, late last week. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2026

Some Democrats in the House, where Republicans hold a razor-thin majority that has gotten narrower, have also said legislation for DHS appropriations should be used as leverage. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026

The appropriations package consists of three bills, which have received bipartisan support. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

Members of Congress can conduct unannounced inspections of ICE facilities under federal appropriations law. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see appropriate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for appropriation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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