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
Those savings were essentially nullified by additional appropriations lawmakers passed in a budget trailer bill to fulfill California’s requirement to make debt payments under Proposition 2.
—
William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Nov. 2025
But organizations like New York Public Radio, according to its president and CEO LaFontaine Oliver, have no choice but to prepare for a scenario where federal appropriations may never return.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
After its release, leadership at Goddard began curbing its workforce and programmatic organization to plan to what was outlined in the President's budget, rather than wait for an official appropriations bill from Congress.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Integrate macro policy with financial reporting — require that major legislation (tax cuts, program expansions) reference the impact on net position and full accounting—not just budget-year appropriation.
—Joe Dioguardi, Fortune, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appropriation
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Nov. 2025
But organizations like New York Public Radio, according to its president and CEO LaFontaine Oliver, have no choice but to prepare for a scenario where federal appropriations may never return.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
After its release, leadership at Goddard began curbing its workforce and programmatic organization to plan to what was outlined in the President's budget, rather than wait for an official appropriations bill from Congress.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Integrate macro policy with financial reporting — require that major legislation (tax cuts, program expansions) reference the impact on net position and full accounting—not just budget-year appropriation.
—Joe Dioguardi, Fortune, 18 Nov. 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 1 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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