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
Within a day in February, for example, the Legislature passed out a $90 million appropriation to counter the federal government’s block on Medicaid dollars going to Planned Parenthood clinics.
—
Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The appropriation, which requires City Council approval, would fund 80 projects, with construction of 1,528 new units and repairs to more than 2,500 affordable units in need of work.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Unlike many other military programs, Nexcom is not primarily funded through federal appropriations, but is rather a self-sustaining machine through its own retail sales, making its ability to grow – while also affecting a turnaround – critical for its survival.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,ryan Baker, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The agency has been under a microscope over the past year as two government shutdowns, one in October 2025 and the current DHS appropriations lapse, which began in February 2026, led to hourslong airport security lines as TSA officers had to work without pay.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriation
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Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The appropriation, which requires City Council approval, would fund 80 projects, with construction of 1,528 new units and repairs to more than 2,500 affordable units in need of work.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Unlike many other military programs, Nexcom is not primarily funded through federal appropriations, but is rather a self-sustaining machine through its own retail sales, making its ability to grow – while also affecting a turnaround – critical for its survival.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,ryan Baker, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The agency has been under a microscope over the past year as two government shutdowns, one in October 2025 and the current DHS appropriations lapse, which began in February 2026, led to hourslong airport security lines as TSA officers had to work without pay.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 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 13 Apr. 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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