allegation

UK: /ˌælɪˈgeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌælɪˈgeɪʃən/ ,(al′i gā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

al•le•ga•tion /ˌælɪˈgeɪʃən/   n. [countable]

1. the act of alleging:
   The court heard very serious allegations about his misconduct.
2. a statement or claim made with little or no proof:
   upset about the allegations about their marriage.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

al•le•ga•tion  (al′i gā′shən), n. 

1. the act of alleging;
   affirmation.
2. an assertion made with little or no proof.
3. an assertion made by a party in a legal proceeding, which the party then undertakes to prove.
4. a statement offered as a plea, excuse, or justification.

• Latin allēgātiōn- (stem of allēgātiō), equivalent. to allēgāt(us), past participle of allēgāre to adduce in support of a plea (al- al- + -lēgāre, derivative of lēx law; see legal) + -iōn- -ion
• late Middle English 1375–1425

Synonyms

• 1, 2. charge, accusation; claim, contention.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

allegation / ˌælɪˈɡeɪʃən/ noun

1. the act of alleging
2. an unproved statement or assertion, esp one in an accusation