Quota

/ˈkwoʊtə/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A fixed limited amount or number that is allocated or permitted.

The company set a quota for each sales representative to achieve by the end of the quarter.

A share or proportional part assigned to a group or individual.

The school's quota for student admissions was filled ahead of the deadline.

A restriction on the quantity or value of goods that can be exported or imported.

The government imposed a quota on the importation of foreign cars to protect local manufacturers.

From Latin 'quota pars', meaning 'how much of'.

job quota

A specific number of positions or tasks that must be filled or completed.

production quota

A set amount of goods that must be produced within a given timeframe.

export quota

A limit on the quantity of goods that can be exported.

allocation

The action or process of distributing something.

limit

The greatest amount or degree of something that is possible or allowed.

allotment

The amount of something allocated to a particular person or purpose.

Quota-busting

When the sales team exceeded their targets, they were called quota-busters.

Quota-screwed

After the changes in policy, many employees felt quota-screwed by unrealistic demands.