Main Entry: al·lo·cate

Pronunciation: \ˈa-lə-ˌkāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): al·lo·cat·ed; al·lo·cat·ing

Etymology: Medieval Latin allocatus, past participle of allocare, from Latin ad- + locare to place, from locus place — more at stall

Date: circa 1641

1 : to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things : distribute <allocate tasks among human and automated components>
2 : to set apart or earmark : designate <allocate a section of the building for special research purposes>

— al·lo·cat·able \-ˌkā-tə-bəl\ adjective

— al·lo·ca·tion \ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— al·lo·ca·tor \ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tər\ noun