Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission: "Appropriation" refers to the deliberate act of acquiring something, often property or funds, that belongs to someone else.
   • The act of setting aside or allocating money for a specific purpose: In a formal, often governmental context, "appropriation" means the action of designating funds for a particular use.
   • The act of adopting or incorporating elements, such as ideas or styles: In cultural contexts, it can refer to the act of taking and using something, like artistic elements, from another culture or source.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The artist was accused of cultural appropriation for using traditional patterns in her designs without understanding their significance.
  • Congress passed a bill for the appropriation of funds to build new schools.
  • The court ruled that his appropriation of the company's intellectual property was illegal.

Advanced Usage

• "Cultural appropriation": The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.
  • The debate on cultural appropriation often centers on power dynamics and respect.
• "Misappropriation": The act of taking something dishonestly for one's own use. This is a specific, often legal, term related to appropriation.
  • He was charged with the misappropriation of public funds.

Variants and Related Words

• Appropriate (verb): To take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission; or to set aside (money) for a special purpose.
  • The manager appropriated the empty office for the new team.
  • The city council appropriated money for park renovations.
• Appropriate (adjective): Suitable or proper in the circumstances.
  • Please wear appropriate attire for the interview.
• Appropriator (noun): A person who appropriates something.

Synonyms

• Seizure: The action of taking something by force or legal authority.
• Allocation: The action or process of allocating or distributing something.
• Expropriation: The action by the state or an authority of taking property from its owner for public use or benefit.

Related Phrases

• Appropriation bill: A legislative motion (bill) that authorizes the government to spend money.
  • The debate over the annual appropriation bill lasted for weeks.
• Appropriation account: An account showing how funds have been allocated and spent.
  • The treasurer reviewed the appropriation account at the end of the fiscal year.

Noun

1. a deliberate act of acquisition of something, often without the permission of the owner
   • the necessary funds were obtained by the government's appropriation of the company's operating unit
   • a person's appropriation of property belonging to another is dishonest
2. incorporation by joining or uniting
3. money set aside (as by a legislature) for a specific purpose