Definition

1. Noun:
   • A distinct entry in a financial list or budget: A "line item" is a single, specific entry within a detailed financial document, such as a budget, appropriation bill, or invoice. It represents an individual allocation of funds for a particular purpose or expense.

Usage

• A "line item" is used to describe and scrutinize individual components of a larger financial plan. It allows for the examination, approval, or rejection of specific expenditures without affecting the entire budget.
• It is commonly used in governmental, corporate, and personal budgeting contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The committee debated each line item in the proposed budget.
  • The governor used his power to eliminate a line item funding the new park.
  • Please review the line items on this invoice for accuracy.

Advanced Usage

• "Line-item veto": The power of an executive (like a governor or mayor) to veto specific individual appropriations ("line items") in a bill without vetoing the entire legislative act.
  • The state constitution grants the governor a line-item veto for budget bills.

Variants and Related Words

• Line-item veto (noun): The specific power to reject individual budget items.
• Line-item budget (noun): A budget that lists expenditures in individual, detailed categories.

Synonyms

• Budget item: An individual entry in a budget.
• Appropriation: A sum of money allocated for a particular purpose, often appearing as a line item.
• Entry: A single recorded item in a list or ledger.

Related Phrases

• To itemize: To present or list in the form of individual items or line items.
  • The contractor agreed to itemize the costs in the estimate.

Noun

1. an item in an appropriation bill
   • Some governors can veto line items in their state budgets