1
: a proportional part or share
especially
: the share or proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body
2
: the number or amount constituting a proportional share
3
: a fixed number or percentage of minority group members or women needed to meet the requirements of affirmative action
Synonyms
Examples of quota in a Sentence
The agency imposes strict fishing quotas.
The company has imposed quotas on hiring.
He lost his driver's license because he exceeded the quota of traffic violations.
The department set new sales quotas in January.
Recent Examples on the Web
The fast-food giant announced on Monday significant changes to its diversity practices, including eliminating aspirational representation quotas and discontinuing its Supply Chain’s Mutual Commitment to DEI pledge.
—
Jack Kelly, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
These accords create legal immigration channels, aligning visa quotas with workforce needs, especially in high-demand sectors such as agriculture, health care, and construction.
—Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
In a research note out earlier this month, ING analysts said the agreement is expected to facilitate trade growth between the two regions, citing a mix of larger import quotas and lower or removed tariffs on products like beef, poultry, sugar beet and soybeans.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Donald Trump could stop that While Newsom’s administration has cracked down on other affluent communities that resist quotas — it’s been especially aggressive with conservative Huntington Beach — liberal Marin County has historically received the kid gloves treatment.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quota 
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Jack Kelly, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
These accords create legal immigration channels, aligning visa quotas with workforce needs, especially in high-demand sectors such as agriculture, health care, and construction.
—Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
In a research note out earlier this month, ING analysts said the agreement is expected to facilitate trade growth between the two regions, citing a mix of larger import quotas and lower or removed tariffs on products like beef, poultry, sugar beet and soybeans.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Donald Trump could stop that While Newsom’s administration has cracked down on other affluent communities that resist quotas — it’s been especially aggressive with conservative Huntington Beach — liberal Marin County has historically received the kid gloves treatment.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quota
Dictionary Entries Near quota
Cite this Entry
“Quota.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quota. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quota
noun
quo·ta
ˈkwōt-ə 
1
: a share or part assigned to each member of a group
2
: the number or amount making up a quota
Legal Definition
quota
noun
quo·ta
ˈkwō-tə
1
: a proportional part or share assigned to each in a body
2
: a specific amount that serves as a minimum or maximum
a law against traffic ticket quotas
Etymology
Medieval Latin, from Latin quota pars how great a part
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