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 allegations of deep corruption led to an impeachment recommendation in May 2023. Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 About 8,400, or 37%, involved allegations of disability discrimination. Fred Clasen-Kelly, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025 In May 2017, amid allegations of foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election, a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA) leaked a classified document to the press. Terry Gross, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025 Journalistic investigations by outlets such as The New Yorker raised questions about Turning Point’s finances, including allegations of blurred lines between nonprofit educational work and partisan campaigning. Stephanie A, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 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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