allegation

noun

al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌa-li-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce allegation (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The artist exodus was fueled by allegations of abuse by an unnamed artist on the lineup. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2025 The dispute centered around the valuation of Jay-Z's stake and allegations of mismanagement of the brand by Bacardi to drive down the value. Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 Most of those allegations surround the Rev. John P. Smyth, a Chicago archdiocese priest who spent more than 40 years in leadership roles at Maryville, including that of executive director. Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025 Because some allegations are several decades old, agencies often no longer have records for the adults and children who were involved, in some cases even records to show that a certain child was ever in their care. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allegation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of allegation was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allegation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegation. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

allegation

noun
al·​le·​ga·​tion ˌal-i-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce allegation (audio)
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 How to pronounce allegation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on allegation

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