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

In subsequent years, the annual allocation is estimated at $493,967, with $35,000 allocated toward maintenance and support, according to the note. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 29 Dec. 2025

Unlike other federal grants, which often come with very specific rules about how the money can be allocated, VOCA funds can be spent on crime victims of all ages and demographics. —Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 29 Dec. 2025

Sleep lots, shelters and student payments Under the 1987 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the federal government allocates money to each state to identify and assist homeless students with transportation, housing and other needs. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Dec. 2025

Ross needs to take a temporary break from his real estate ventures and allocate all of his time to finding the best coach (whether that’s McDaniel or someone else) and the best general manager. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 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