English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

appropriation

uh-prohp-ree-AY-shuhn

Appropriation (noun) means Money or resources officially set aside for a particular purpose, especially by a government. Example: “Congress approved a new appropriation for road repairs.”

noun
1
Money or resources officially set aside for a particular purpose, especially by a government.
"Congress approved a new appropriation for road repairs."
2
The act of taking something, often without permission, and using it as one's own.
"Critics accused the brand of cultural appropriation."

How to Use Appropriation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither officially assigned funding, or the act of taking something (an idea, custom, or resource) and using it as your own.

Common pairings
budget appropriation cultural appropriation appropriation of funds

Word Forms

appropriations plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “appropriation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Congress approved a new _____ for road repairs.

Etymology

From Latin appropriatio, from appropriare, "to make one's own."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for appropriation

See all rhymes for appropriation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “appropriation” mean?

The word “appropriation” means money or resources officially set aside for a particular purpose, especially by a government. In plain terms, either officially assigned funding, or the act of taking something (an idea, custom, or resource) and using it as your own.

How do you pronounce “appropriation”?

“Appropriation” is pronounced uh-prohp-ree-AY-shuhn (/əˌpɹoʊpɹiˈeɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “appropriation” in a sentence?

Here is “appropriation” used in a sentence: “Congress approved a new appropriation for road repairs.”

What part of speech is “appropriation”?

“Appropriation” is a noun.

Where does the word “appropriation” come from?

The word “appropriation” comes from Latin. From Latin appropriatio, from appropriare, "to make one's own.".

Is “appropriation” a common word?

“Appropriation” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “appropriation” have?

“Appropriation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money or resources officially set aside for a particular purpose, especially by a government.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial