1. rights to benefits or privileges, especially those guaranteed by law or contract
Usage: often used in political or legal contexts
2. government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain criteria
Usage: political science; economics
3. attitudes of deserving special treatment or privileges
Usage: often used negatively

Examples

• Social Security and Medicare are major federal entitlements.
• The contract clearly outlined the employee’s entitlements to vacation time.
• Veterans have certain entitlements to healthcare and education benefits.
• The politician promised to protect entitlements for senior citizens.
• His sense of entitlement made him difficult to work with.
• The company reviewed all employee entitlements during the restructuring.
• Entitlements make up a large portion of the federal budget.