quota

noun

quo·​ta ˈkwō-tə 

1

: a proportional part or share

especially : the share or proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body

2

: the number or amount constituting a proportional share

3

: a fixed number or percentage of minority group members or women needed to meet the requirements of affirmative action

Synonyms of quota

• portion
• share
• part
• percentage
• proportion
• allowance
• allotment

Examples of quota in a Sentence

The agency imposes strict fishing quotas.

The company has imposed quotas on hiring.

He lost his driver's license because he exceeded the quota of traffic violations.

The department set new sales quotas in January.

Recent Examples on the Web

The EVs in question have already been welcomed into Mexico and, more recently, Canada, under a new rule that allows for a limited quota of imports. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 16 July 2026

Some 59% of network TV commissioning spend went to the Nations and English regions, with almost 70% of TV hours qualifying as regional productions, above the BBC’s 50% quota. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 July 2026

Orbán did this extensively, including over his refusal to accept migrant quotas, which in late 2020 led the European Court of Justice to impose a 200 million euro fine plus a 1 million euro-per-day penalty. — Brett R. Chloupek, The Conversation, 15 July 2026

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed for much of the period since March, stripping millions of barrels from Middle East supply and making the OPEC+ quota increases agreed in April unachievable. — semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin quota pars how great a part

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for quota

• chota
• cota
• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• ricotta

Kids Definition

quota

noun

quo·​ta ˈkwōt-ə 

1

: a share or part assigned to each member of a group

2

: the number or amount making up a quota

Legal Definition

quota

noun

quo·​ta ˈkwō-tə 

1

: a proportional part or share assigned to each in a body

2

: a specific amount that serves as a minimum or maximum

a law against traffic ticket quotas

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin quota pars how great a part