entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt 

en-

1

a

: the state or condition of being entitled : right

b

: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract

2

: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges

3

: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group

also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

Synonyms of entitlement

• subsidy
• grant
• allotment
• appropriation

Examples of entitlement in a Sentence

my entitlement to a refund

celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement

entitlements such as medical aid for the elderly and poor

Recent Examples on the Web

As a Founding Partner, Toyota will have brand integrations throughout the venue, including extensive digital and physical signage, on-site vehicle displays and naming entitlement to one of the arena’s five VIP suite entrances. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026

That’s the upside of hearts uncorroded by entitlement or a major label’s promise of fame. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026

Plenty of pop stars have been driven offline by their fans’ entitlement. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2026

State taskforces must ensure that the state can comply with legal entitlements to services. —Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Legal Definition

entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment

1

: the state or condition of being entitled : claim

evidence of victim's entitlement to money seized

—National Law Journal

2

: a right to benefits that is granted especially by law or contract (as an insurance policy)

Note: Some courts have held that entitlements are a property interest and therefore subject to procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when denied by federal or state governments.

3

: a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement

also : the benefits distributed by such a program