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

International fund managers have taken a pause on allocating new money to Saudi Arabia, amid a weaker stock market and concerns about earnings growth next year. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 15 Dec. 2025

During July trade negotiations, South Korea and the United States announced a $350 billion investment deal, with $150 billion of that money to be allocated to maritime investment. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2025

The wave of criticism has come after FIFA allocated tickets to national associations for participating teams on Thursday, in what the governing body calls the Participating Member Association (PMA) allocation. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

The governing body allocates 8% of tickets to national associations for games involving their team to sell to the most loyal fans. —James Robson, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

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