allocate

verb al·lo·cate \ ˈa-lə-ˌkāt \

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

See allocate defined for English-language learners

See allocate defined for kids

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

As part of the tax's original intent, $2 million was directly allocated to pay down debt in 2016 and $4.09 million went to capital projects.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Advisory board recommends doubling sales tax, tossing property tax abatement," 29 Aug. 2017
President Trump signed a disaster proclamation, allocating federal funds for state and local relief efforts.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "Hurricane Harvey Is Now A Tropical Storm," 26 Aug. 2017
Pastorek said money hasn't been allocated to secure the vacant schools.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "'Suspicious' fire probed at closed Gary high school," 21 Aug. 2017
But ending the addiction to debt requires measures that include allowing companies to fail and sweeping shifts in the way capital is allocated that policy makers have yet to fully embrace.

— Bloomberg.com, "IMF Forecasts Faster Chinese Growth as Rising Debt Adds to Risks," 15 Aug. 2017
That meant 43 fewer kindergarten teachers allocated for schools this year, as well as 43 fewer kindergarten instructional assistants, JCPS said.

— allison ross, The Courier-Journal, "6 things JCPS parents should know for the new school year," 3 Aug. 2017
As reported by Politico’s Nahal Toosi on Wednesday, however, his rationale for declining to spend the counter-propaganda funds Congress allocated appears to be different.

— krishnadev calamur, The Atlantic, "Ignore, but Sanction: The Trump Administration's Strange Russia Policy," 2 Aug. 2017
Saved teachers’ time is allocated to other tasks, such as fostering pupils’ social skills or one-on-one tuition.

— The Economist, "Education technologyTogether, technology and teachers can revamp schools," 22 July 2017
Thomas said the cabinet also intends to recommend allocating $205 million annually in the next statewide road plan to repair roads and bridges.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "What's ranked Kentucky's most worthy road project? Widening stretch of Gene Snyder Freeway," 5 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of allocate

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

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First Known Use: 1616

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allocate Synonyms

Synonyms

allot, allow, apportion, assign, distribute, lot, ration

Antonyms

misallocate

Related Words

admeasure, administer, deal, dispense, divide, dole out, hand out, measure, mete (out), meter, parcel (out), part, portion, prorate, share (out), split; accord, award, give, grant; earmark, reserve; chip in, contribute, donate; reallocate, reapportion, reassign, redistribute

Near Antonyms

begrudge, deny, deprive (of); keep, retain, stint, withhold; appropriate, arrogate, confiscate

ALLOCATE Defined for English Language Learners

allocate

verb

Definition of allocate for English Language Learners

: to divide and give out (something) for a special reason or to particular people, companies, etc.

ALLOCATE Defined for Kids

allocate

verb al·lo·cate \ ˈa-lə-ˌkāt \

Definition of allocate for Students

allocated; allocating

1 :to divide and give out for a special reason or to particular people or things

Funds were allocated among the clubs.

2 :to set apart for a particular purpose

Part of the classroom was allocated for reading.

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See words that rhyme with allocate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for allocate Spanish Central: Translation of allocate Nglish: Translation of allocate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of allocate for Arabic speakers

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allocate

Definition of allocate

allocatable

allocation

allocator

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Examples of allocate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of allocate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of allocate

allocate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

ALLOCATE Defined for English Language Learners

allocate

Definition of allocate for English Language Learners

ALLOCATE Defined for Kids

allocate

Definition of allocate for Students

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