allegation

Borrowed from Middle French allégation, from Latin allegatio, from allegare. See allege.

• (UK, US, Canada) enPR: ăl'ĭ-gā'shən, IPA^(key): /ˌæl.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/, /ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

  • Audio (US):

    (file)

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˌæl.ɪˈɡæɪ.ʃən/

  Rhymes: -eɪʃən

allegation (plural allegations)

1. An assertion, especially an accusation, not necessarily based on facts.

   She put forth several allegations regarding her partner in hopes of discrediting his actions.

   • 2004 April 15, “Morning swoop in hunt for Jodi's killer”, in The Scotsman‎^[1], archived from the original on 3 October 2013:

     A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "We can confirm that a 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Jodi Jones. A 45-year-old has also been arrested in connection with allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice. A report on this has been sent to the procurator fiscal."

   • 2011 December 14, Steven Morris, “Devon woman jailed for 168 days for killing kitten in microwave”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     Philip Miles, defending, said: "This was a single instance, there was no allegation of continuing behaviour over a long period of time."

2. The act of alleging.

• accusation
• assertion
• censure
• charge
• crimination
• impeachment