allocate

verb al·lo·cate \ ˈa-lə-ˌkāt \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of allocate

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

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allocatable

play \-ˌkā-tə-bəl\ adjective

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allocation

play \ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

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allocator

play \ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tər\ noun

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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 of allocate from the Web

County Executive Allan Kittleman included the project in his proposed 2019 capital budget, but no money is allocated to the facility for next year.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "Elkridge land considered for Howard's first residential drug treatment facility," 13 Apr. 2018
Under that agreement, former FARC combatants were allocated 10 seats in Colombia's congress until 2026.

— taylor barnes and susannah cullinane, CNN, "Colombia arrests key negotiator in FARC peace deal on drug trafficking charge," 10 Apr. 2018
Airport slots would be allocated more fairly, so that the best landing and take-off times were not hoarded.

— The Economist, "Chinese aviation takes off," 7 Apr. 2018
Already residents and visitors are being allocated a daily amount 7 times less than what is used by the average US citizen, according to the World Water Council.

— elliott lapin, Houston Chronicle, "Student trainers serve as more than just a water boy/girl," 5 Apr. 2018
Otter called the recent revision to the way federal firefighting money is allocated a historic sign of the federal government’s growing understanding of the needs of the nation’s public lands.

— elaine williams, idahostatesman, "These days, Butch Otter would be happy as a ‘sharecropper’ on federal land | Idaho Statesman," 29 Mar. 2018
For fiscal year 2016, a bit more than $714,000 had been allocated in the budget for legal costs, although spending in that area ultimately came in at close to $1 million.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Tinley Park racks up $2M in legal bills for apartment lawsuits," 27 Mar. 2018
Time and resources are allocated to plan and deliver spectacular special events such as the Annual Celebration, Spring & Fall Forums, numerous wellness events, a family Santa’s Visit party, and more.

— fortune editors, Fortune, "The Best Companies in Finance and Insurance," 27 Mar. 2018
These funds are allocated to harden school security and will cover fences, cameras, shatter proof windows, key card entry systems and crisis communication systems.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "South Florida Jewish schools grateful for increased security funding," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allocate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.