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

In 2015, China also complied with the World Trade Organization ruling against China’s rare-earth export restrictions and abolished its export quota system. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Minister for the Arts Tony Burke tied the findings to government policy on local content quotas. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

By the time Herrera met with dozens of prospective recruits, much of the Air Force's annual recruitment quota was already complete. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Real participation and citing original sources within the community outperform purposeless content meant to meet quotas. — Amy Packard Berry, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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