entitlement

Meanings

Plural: entitlements

Noun

• right granted by law or contract (especially a right to benefits)
  • "entitlements make up the major part of the federal budget"
• The right to have something, whether actual or perceived.
• Power, authority to do something.
• Something that one is entitled to.
• A legal obligation on a government to make payments to a person, business, or unit of government that meets the criteria set in law, such as social security in the US.