appropriation

Universal Words noun 1 [U,sing.] (formal or law) the act of taking sth which belongs to sb else, especially without permission: dishonest appropriation of property * The film company sued them over their appropriation of a cartoon character. compareMISAPPROPRIATION 2 [U,sing.] (formal) the act of keeping or saving money for a particular purpose: a meeting to discuss the appropriation of funds 3 [C] (formal) a sum of money to be used for a particular purpose, especially by a government or company: an appropriation of ｣20000 for payment of debts