reallocate

verb

re·​al·​lo·​cate (ˌ)rē-ˈa-lə-ˌkāt 

reallocated; reallocating; reallocates

transitive verb

: to allocate (something) again: such as

a

: to apportion or distribute (something) in a new or different way

The best way to start an overhaul of the nation's statistical system would be to reallocate funds from the Agriculture Department to other agencies.

—Joseph Spiers

b

: to earmark or designate (something) for a new or different purpose

In recent years, many local low-income housing units … have been demolished or reallocated to serve wealthier residents.

—Hannah Russell

reallocation

(ˌ)rē-ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

plural reallocations

… the reallocation of local property taxes from library budgets to school districts …

—Ruth Perry

The reallocation for overflow parking could take away as many as 75 spots from resident students during its allotted hours …

—Emma Reith

Examples of reallocate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The legislation would also reallocate $30 billion in federal subsidies going to oil and gas companies to instead combat a potential funding gap in the Highway Trust Fund. —Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 11 May 2026

That could include reallocating local and state resources, strengthening regional collaboration between counties and finding efficiencies wherever possible. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

The companies that manage this well have repositioned it as a strategic capability—one that actively reallocates production, manages exposure across geographies and defends margin. —Catherine Nekavand, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

If so, speed is of the essence in reallocating resources and in adapting governance to move with agility. —Kevin Russell, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above