An allegation is a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal — or that something is true — before it has been proved. Newspapers, courts, and school reports use it when they must report the claim without treating it as fact: allegations of cheating, allegations of corruption. It can be grave (a crime) or smaller (a broken rule). You make, face, deny, or investigate an allegation. Though actually, people stretch it: 'that's just an allegation' can mean 'I think it is false,' not only 'it is unproved.' The word itself does not tell you who is right.