allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-li-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of alleging something

2

: a positive assertion especially of misconduct

Some former colleagues have made serious allegations against him.

specifically : a statement by a party to a legal action of what the party undertakes to prove

3

: an assertion unsupported and by implication regarded as unsupportable

Examples of allegation in a Sentence

The police are investigating allegations that the mayor has accepted bribes.

There have been allegations of fraud in the city government.

You're making a serious allegation. Do you have any proof?

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also allegations of financial mismanagement. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

In light of the allegations, Hulu pulled the plug on a planned reality series focused on Combs and his family. —Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 17 Sep. 2024

The numerous allegations in the 14-page indictment include claims that Combs assaulted women by striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at them and kicking them, among other things. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024

The threats began rolling in after last week’s presidential debate, when former President Donald Trump touted unfounded allegations that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are stealing and eating pet cats and dogs. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English allegacion "formal declaration in court, argument offered as proof," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin allēgātiōn-, allēgātiō "representation on behalf of another, charge," from allēgāre "to adduce in support of a plea" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at allege

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌal-i-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of alleging

2

: something alleged

especially : a statement not supported by proof or evidence

allegations of criminal involvement

Legal Definition

allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-lə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of alleging

2

a

: a statement not yet proven

allegations in an affidavit

b

: a statement by a party to a lawsuit of what the party will attempt to prove : averment compare accusation, indictment, information, proof