appropriation
The action of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission; in government finance, the official legislative authorization to spend public money for a specific purpose.
In fiscal law, an appropriation is the mandatory legal mechanism that legally permits executive departments to disburse government funds.
Word relationships
- allocation: 'Allocation' is the general distribution or setting aside of resources; 'appropriation' is the formal legal enactment authorizing government spending.
- earmark: An 'earmark' designates spending for a specific localized project within a larger appropriation bill.
- deauthorization: Deauthorization revokes legally allowed funding, whereas appropriation grants official legal funding.
Commonly confused with
- allocation: Allocation means dividing up funds; appropriation is the official law that legally authorizes those funds to be spent.
Word family
- appropriate (verb): To legally set aside funds or take possession of something.
- appropriated (adjective): Officially set aside for public spending.
Collocations
- appropriation bill
- congressional appropriation
- budget appropriation
- annual appropriation
- appropriation committee
Example sentences
- "The Senate passed the defense appropriation bill to ensure funding for naval modernization." Legislative Process
- "Without a formal congressional appropriation, federal agencies cannot release money to contractors." Government Finance
Memory hook
Appropriation = Making funds APPROPRIATE (properly authorized) for government agencies to spend. Appropriation = Official legislative permission to spend.
When not to use
Do not confuse legislative appropriation (legal budget authorization) with cultural appropriation (adopting elements of another culture). Context easily clarifies.
Fun facts
- The US Constitution specifies that 'No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.'
Related words
Explore more words
appropriate, misappropriation, commandeer, disburse, usurp, expropriation
Also appears in
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