entitlement

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Politics Academic

n. a government programme that provides money or help to people who meet certain rules.

n. a government-funded programme or payment that guarantees support to citizens who meet specific eligibility criteria.

“The government is debating whether to reduce spending on healthcare entitlements.”

“Economists warned that the rising cost of age-related entitlements would place an unsustainable burden on the national budget over the next decade.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal

n. the feeling that you are better than others and deserve special treatment without working for it.

n. a subjective belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment, often used pejoratively.

“His sense of entitlement made it very difficult for him to work in a team.”

“The manager noted that the new intern's sense of entitlement was alienating the senior staff, who expected a more humble approach to learning.”