quota

noun

quo·​ta ˈkwō-tə 

1

: a proportional part or share

especially : the share or proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body

2

: the number or amount constituting a proportional share

3

: a fixed number or percentage of minority group members or women needed to meet the requirements of affirmative action

Synonyms

• allotment
• allowance
• cut
• end
• part
• piece
• portion
• proportion
• share
• slice
• take

Examples of quota in a Sentence

The agency imposes strict fishing quotas.

The company has imposed quotas on hiring.

He lost his driver's license because he exceeded the quota of traffic violations.

The department set new sales quotas in January.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the road to Milano-Cortina 2026 gets underway, Mastro and Kim are ranked second and fourth in the world, respectively, earning valuable quota points for the U.S. as well as themselves. —Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Well known for its high antioxidant quota, green tea has potent health and well-being benefits, and for many, is a gentler and more sustainable alternative to coffee. —Georgia Day, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2025

There have been years where our annual quota of rainfall has been met by the end of April. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025

The authors also advise abandoning quotas by country, further pushing toward a system based on merit that brings in tippy-top talent. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin quota pars how great a part

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

quota

noun

quo·​ta ˈkwōt-ə 

1

: a share or part assigned to each member of a group

2

: the number or amount making up a quota

Legal Definition

quota

noun

quo·​ta ˈkwō-tə 

1

: a proportional part or share assigned to each in a body

2

: a specific amount that serves as a minimum or maximum

a law against traffic ticket quotas

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin quota pars how great a part