From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishquotaquo‧ta /ˈkwəʊtə $ ˈkwoʊ-/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1 PGLIMITan official limit on the number or amount of something that is allowed in a particular periodquota on The government has imposed quotas on the export of timber. The government has decided to scrap quotas on car imports.quota for Several countries have now set quotas for cod fishing. There are plans to introduce strict immigration quotas.► see thesaurus at amount2 BAMOUNTan amount of something that someone is expected to do or achievequota of Each person was given a quota of tickets to sell.quota for In the 1990s the Navy couldn’t fill its quota for new recruits.meet/make/achieve a quota Workers only get paid if they make their quota.sales/production quota They’re worried that they won’t achieve this year’s sales quota.3 an amount of something that you think is fair, right, or normal SYN fair sharequota of The committee has had more than its quota of problems. I think I’ve had my quota of coffee for the day.4 British English a particular number of votes that someone needs to get to be elected in an electionCOLLOCATIONSverbsimpose/introduce a quota (=officially start it)In 1993 the European Union imposed quotas on banana imports.set a quota (=say how much it is)They have the right to set fishing quotas.lift/scrap a quota (=stop it)The minister for trade lifted all quotas on imports and exports.exceed a quotaThe fishermen were accused of exceeding their quotas.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + quota a national quotaFive countries maintained national quotas on imports of Japanese cars.fishing quotasThe fishing quotas are strictly enforced.production quotasWith an excess of milk in the European Union, production quotas were imposed on dairy farmers.import/export quotasBritish industry was sheltered from foreign competition by higher tariffs and import quotas.an annual quotaThe US immigration laws imposed a strict annual quota for each country of origin.
Examples from the Corpus
quota• Since 1944, for example, we have had a quota system which has never been effectively operated under Governments of either party.• That brings Nuala O'Fail up to a quota.• Boylan added that ethnic quotas are not imposed on state delegations to the convention.• An agreement on fishing quotas was reached by EU ministers yesterday.• Most countries have an immigration quota.• Several countries imposed quotas on imports of Japanese cars.• I think I've had my quota of coffee for the day.• a meeting of OPEC countries to discuss production quotas• Respondent, echoing the courts below, labels it a racial quota.• a strict quota on imports• Even the luggage racks contained their quota of sailors, soldiers, or airmen.• The traffic policemen used the Puerto Rican neighborhood to dump their quota of tickets.• How efficient the place was - a model clearing house for death, turning out its yearly quota of corpses.set quotas• Perhaps a new manager had set an unrealistic quota for a subordinate because of his or her limited experience in setting quotas.fill ... quota• But the champions had already filled their overseas quota with Andrew Farrar.• Because it can be sure of filling at least one quota, a big party can be sure of winning at least one seat.more than ... quota• And there was no escaping the fact that he had more than his fair quota of attraction.• Forty-five percent of their votes went to Faulkner which ensured his election with more than a quota of votes as fifth member.From Longman Business Dictionaryquotaquo‧ta /ˈkwəʊtəˈkwoʊ-/ noun [countable] an amount of something that is officially allowed or expected in a particular period of timeThe U.S. has for years imposed quotas on Chinese garment imports.France enforces an import quota of 3% of total car sales.a meeting of OPEC to discuss production quotasSalesmen selling over their quota receive a $1000 bonus. → disabled quota → IMF quota → job quotaOrigin quota (1600-1700) Medieval Latin Latin quota pars “how large a part” 