What does "quota" mean?

1. (a target or limit) a fixed number or amount of something that you must reach or are not allowed to go past. 2. (trade or import limit) a limit on the amount of a specific product that can be brought into a country. 3. (a share or portion) your fair share or part of a total amount.

How do you use "quota"?

Often used with the verbs 'impose', 'lift', or 'exceed'.

quota

US //ˈkwoʊtə// UK //kwˈəʊtɐ// quo·ta

1 a target or limit (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a fixed number or amount of something that you must reach or are not allowed to go past.

a prescribed number or percentage serving as a maximum, minimum, or goal within a specific timeframe.

Example

The sales team worked late on Friday to reach their monthly quota.

Example

The department failed to meet its recruitment quota for the third quarter, leading to a significant backlog in project development.
2 trade or import limit (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Law

a limit on the amount of a specific product that can be brought into a country.

a government-imposed trade restriction that limits the number or monetary value of goods that a country can import or export.

Example

The government introduced a new quota on imported sugar to help local farmers.

Example

By imposing a strict quota on textile imports, the administration sought to protect domestic manufacturers from aggressive international competition.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'impose', 'lift', or 'exceed'.
- restriction
- allocation

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 a share or portion (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

your fair share or part of a total amount.

a proportional part or share assigned to an individual or group in a division of resources.

Example

Each person in the group was given their quota of food for the week.

Example

The survivors were forced to survive on a meagre daily quota of water until the rescue party arrived at the camp.

Origin

From Latin quota pars; see Latin quota.