quota Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a prescribed number
    • all the salesmen met their quota for the month
  2. noun a proportional share assigned to each participant
  3. noun a limitation on imports
    • the quota for Japanese imports was negotiated

WordNet

Quo"ta noun
Etymology
LL., fr. L. quota (sc. pars), fr.quotus which or what in number, of what number, how many, fr. quot how many, akin to quis, qui, who: cf. It. quota a share. See Who.
Definitions
  1. A proportional part or share; the share or proportion assigned to each in a division. "Quota of troops and money." esp. a share of effort required to be performed, or a share of resources required to be obtained for some common purpose. Motley.

Webster 1913