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
Trump’s appropriation of naming rights to the Kennedy Center is hardly his worst sin.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025
The bureau did not collect survey data for October 2025 due to a lapse in appropriations as a result of the 43-day government shutdown.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 18 Dec. 2025
After approving three of the 12 annual appropriations bills in November, Senate GOP leaders and appropriators were eager to get moving on the next batch of bills.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The Democratic senators said Democrats would have far less leverage if the Senate appropriations package, which covers the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Commerce, Justice and Interior, among other agencies, passes next month.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appropriation
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David Remnick, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025
The bureau did not collect survey data for October 2025 due to a lapse in appropriations as a result of the 43-day government shutdown.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 18 Dec. 2025
After approving three of the 12 annual appropriations bills in November, Senate GOP leaders and appropriators were eager to get moving on the next batch of bills.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The Democratic senators said Democrats would have far less leverage if the Senate appropriations package, which covers the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Commerce, Justice and Interior, among other agencies, passes next month.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appropriation
Cite this Entry
“Appropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appropriation. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
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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