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

appropriative

ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of appropriation

• subsidy
• grant
• allotment

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

Second, anywhere recurring costs are added on top of one-time federal or state appropriations is a primary source of local and county governments’ finding a method of additional charges — sometimes unnecessarily. — Peggy Gossett-Seidman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Further scrambling the frequencies are works by appropriation artists who remade Lichtenstein’s works into their own, including Sturtevant, Richard Pettibone, and Lawler. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026

Other documents from that time show the company was courting senators from seven additional states and gunning for more than $200 million in new appropriations. — William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2026

Earlier this year, Collins used her position atop the appropriations committee to block OMB’s broader grantmaking regulation from coming into force. — David Lim, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see appropriate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing appropriation

• cultural appropriation

Rhymes for appropriation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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