Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fixed limit on the amount or number of something that is allowed or required: A quota often refers to an official restriction, such as on imports, immigration, or production.
   • A proportional share or part assigned to a person or group: A quota is a specific amount that someone is expected to contribute or is entitled to receive.
   • A prescribed number or target that must be achieved: In business or work contexts, a quota is a specific goal or amount that must be met, often within a set time period.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The government imposed a strict quota on imported cars to protect the domestic industry.
  • Each country was given a quota for its financial contribution to the organization.
  • The sales team exceeded their monthly quota by 15%.

Advanced Usage

• "to fill a quota": to meet or complete an assigned share or target.
  • The company is actively recruiting to fill its diversity quota.
• "to be under quota": to have not yet reached the required or assigned amount.
  • Production is under quota this quarter due to supply chain issues.
• "quota system": a method of allocating or limiting something based on fixed shares or numbers.
  • The university's admission process uses a quota system for students from different regions.

Variants and Related Words

• Quotas (n, plural form): The plural form of quota, referring to multiple fixed limits or shares.
  • The new trade agreement removes several import quotas.

Synonyms

• Allotment: An amount or portion of something assigned to a person or group.
• Allowance: An amount of something permitted, especially within a set of regulations.
• Target: An objective or result that one aims to achieve.
• Limit: A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

Related Phrases

• "meet one's quota": to achieve the required or expected amount.
  • It's crucial for the team to meet its quota by the end of the month.
• "quota sampling": (in statistics) a sampling method where participants are chosen to reflect the characteristics of a population.
  • The survey used quota sampling to ensure representation from all age groups.

Noun

1. a limitation on imports
   • the quota for Japanese imports was negotiated
2. a proportional share assigned to each participant
3. a prescribed number
   • all the salesmen met their quota for the month