appropriation

[ uh-proh-pree-ey-shuh n ]
/ əˌproʊ priˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

the act of appropriating.
anything appropriated for a special purpose, especially money.
an act of a legislature authorizing money to be paid from the treasury for a specified use.
the money thus authorized: a large appropriation for aid to libraries.

Origin of appropriation

1325–75; Middle English (< Middle French) < Late Latin appropriātiōn- (stem of appropriātiō). See appropriate, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM appropriation

pro·ap·pro·pri·a·tion, adjective re·ap·pro·pri·a·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for appropriation

British Dictionary definitions for appropriation

appropriation
/ (əˌprəʊprɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the act of setting apart or taking for one's own use
a sum of money set apart for a specific purpose, esp by a legislature

Cultural definitions for appropriation

appropriation

The grant of money by a legislature for some specific purpose. The authority to grant appropriations, popularly known as the power of the purse, gives legislatures a powerful check over executive branches and judicial branches, for no public money can be spent without legislative approval. Congress, for example, can approve or reject the annual budget requests of the executive branch for its agencies and programs, thereby influencing both domestic and foreign policy. (See also checks and balances and pork-barrel legislation.)