plural appropriations
formal
1
: the act of appropriating something: such as
a
: the act of getting or saving money for a specific use or purpose
the appropriation of funds to repair the bridge
b
: the act of taking or using something especially in a way that is illegal, unfair, etc.
The economy has been weakened by the appropriation of the country's resources by corrupt officials.
2
: an amount of money that is used or provided by a government for a specific purpose
The library's appropriation (from the state) has decreased over the years.
Cite this Entry
“Appropriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/appropriation. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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