entitles

Entitle is a verb with two broad senses. In general, to entitle someone to something is to grant them a right, claim, or license. It can also mean to designate a work or document with a title, as in “The essay is entitled The Path Forward.” The adjective entitled describes someone who has a right or claim, or a work that bears a specified title.

Entitlements, in public policy, is a term used for programs that guarantee benefits to all individuals who meet statutory criteria. These programs are legally mandated and typically funded by the program’s governing laws rather than by annual appropriations. As a result, entitlement programs are often described as mandatory spending in budgetary discussions. Examples include retirement or old-age benefits, disability benefits, and health-related programs in various countries. Debates about entitlements frequently center on cost, sustainability, and how eligibility rules influence incentives and fiscal policy.

In publishing and some legal contexts, to entitle also means to assign a proper title to a manuscript, document, or work. Correct titling affects indexing, cataloging, and the perceived scope or content of the work.

Overall, entitle relates to granting rights or privileges, and entitlements reflect formal, often statutory, claims to specific benefits or titles.