An allegation is a claim that someone did something wrong, made before it has been proven true. When someone makes an allegation, they're saying, “I believe this person did this bad thing,” but they haven't yet shown evidence that convinces everyone else.

You might hear about allegations in news stories: “There are allegations that the company polluted the river” or “The player faced allegations of breaking team rules.” The key idea is that the person faced allegations. An allegation isn't the same as a fact or a conviction. It's an accusation waiting to be investigated.

Think of it this way: if your teacher receives an allegation that someone cheated on the test, that means someone claimed it happened, but the teacher hasn't yet looked at the evidence or made a decision. The allegation could turn out to be true, or it could be mistaken or even false.

When you allege something, you're putting forth a serious claim that needs to be examined carefully. That's why you'll often hear phrases like “alleged thief” or “allegedly broke the window.” These words remind us that an allegation isn't proof. It's the starting point for finding out what really happened.