entitlement

noun

en·​ti·​tle·​ment in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt How to pronounce entitlement (audio)
en-
1
a
: the state or condition of being entitled : right
b
: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract
2
: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges
3
: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group
also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

Examples of entitlement in a Sentence

my entitlement to a refund celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement entitlements such as medical aid for the elderly and poor
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
House Republicans also clashed at the time over where ideas to shore up solvency for entitlement programs or potential reductions to military spending would fit into talks to significantly curb spending. Aris Folley, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024 The sense of entitlement that comes with the tour circus can block the rationale of what is acceptable. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 Additionally, starting next season, Verizon will become the entitlement partner of the field pass area for all New York City FC MLS regular-season home matches. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Today’s biggest artists are watched and scrutinized by fans for their every post, like, and follow, each reply and comment dripping with a previously unseen level of entitlement. Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for entitlement 

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entitlement was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near entitlement

Cite this Entry

“Entitlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entitlement. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

entitlement

noun
en·​ti·​tle·​ment
1
: the state or condition of being entitled : claim
evidence of victim's entitlement to money seizedNational Law Journal
2
: a right to benefits that is granted especially by law or contract (as an insurance policy)

Note: Some courts have held that entitlements are a property interest and therefore subject to procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when denied by federal or state governments.

3
: a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement
also : the benefits distributed by such a program

More from Merriam-Webster on entitlement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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