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
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
In the 20th century, the Japanese government used a combination of protectionist tariffs and quotas, subsidies, and generous government loans, among other measures, giving rise to national champions like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan that dominated the international automobile market.
—
Made By History, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
Hegseth, who in the past suggested physical standards for combat jobs have been lowered to meet diversity quotas — a claim that past defense officials have disputed — in a social media post said the review would help ensure equal standards for all service members.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Montana’s legislature is considering a bill for non-stop hunting until a 600-wolf quota is reached.
—Ted Williams, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
That’s why – under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement – Canada has quota and tariff protection from American companies flooding its market with eggs and poultry that would cost consumers two to three times less.
—Jack Buffington, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quota
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Made By History, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
Hegseth, who in the past suggested physical standards for combat jobs have been lowered to meet diversity quotas — a claim that past defense officials have disputed — in a social media post said the review would help ensure equal standards for all service members.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Montana’s legislature is considering a bill for non-stop hunting until a 600-wolf quota is reached.
—Ted Williams, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
That’s why – under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement – Canada has quota and tariff protection from American companies flooding its market with eggs and poultry that would cost consumers two to three times less.
—Jack Buffington, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quota
Cite this Entry
“Quota.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quota. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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