allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈa-lə-ˌkāt 

allocated; allocating

transitive verb

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

allocatable

ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tə-bəl 

adjective

allocation

ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

allocator

ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of allocate

• allot
• assign
• distribute

Examples of allocate in a Sentence

Money from the sale of the house was allocated to each of the children.

We need to determine the best way to allocate our resources.

Have enough funds been allocated to finance the project?

Recent Examples on the Web

The agency allocates funds from state tax-exempt bonds to endeavors such as affordable housing projects. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 9 May 2026

In a unanimous vote, the council instructed the Los Angeles Police Department, city administrative officer and the city attorney to report on options to increase fines, allocate revenue to wildfire preparedness and expand patrol and towing capacity during red flag or pre-disaster events. —City News Service, Daily News, 8 May 2026

Note that per Civil Code 4775, HOAs can only allocate repair and maintenance responsibility in the CC&Rs – HOAs cannot do this in bylaws or rules. —Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

In 2024, California voters also approved Proposition 4, which allocated nearly $50 million for projects addressing water quality problems along the Mexico border and coastal areas. —Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin allocātus, past participle of allocāre "to place, stow, hire out, place on hire, allow, admit, credit," from Latin ad- ad- + locāre "to place, situate" — more at locate

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing allocate

• sub-allocate

Rhymes for allocate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈal-ə-ˌkāt 

allocated; allocating

1

: to divide and distribute for a special reason or to particular persons or things

allocate funds among charities

2

: to set apart for a particular purpose

allocate materials for a project

allocation

ˌal-ə-ˈkā-shən 

noun