allocate

verb al·lo·cate \ ˈa-lə-ˌkāt \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Examples: allocate in a Sentence

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

—

allocatable

play \-ˌkā-tə-bəl\ adjective

—

allocation

play \ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

—

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

Perrone proposed during the council’s spring budget deliberations that the more than $24 million allocated for ag preservation in County Executive Barry Glassman’s fiscal 2019 budget be frozen.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford council approves 22 properties for ag preservation," 25 June 2018
The Washington Post is reporting that the White House wants to move funds allocated to the Coast Guard to immigration control.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "President Trump sees immigration as a defense issue.," 22 June 2018
The new hikes will save up to 50 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) from funds allocated for state subsidies in the country’s 2018-19 budget, Oil Minister Tarek el-Molla said.

— samy magdy, BostonGlobe.com, "Egypt increases fuel prices, as part of austerity measures," 16 June 2018
The plan breaks down to roughly $1.5 million allocated for village expenses and $1.5 million in incentives to Wangard.

— geoff bruce, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Multimillion dollar TIF district could prompt development in northwest corner of Sussex," 11 June 2018
The stockpile is the second largest allocated to a county under the California Department of Public Health grant, Thihalolipavan said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Use of drug that reverses overdoses to expand to police, school campuses," 11 June 2018
The fare card system had $70 million allocated to it in the capital budget, bringing the total cost of the project to $297 million, more than twice as much as its original price tag.

— jason laughlin, Philly.com, "SEPTA's 2019 budget funds new buses and trains but plans for drop in ridership revenue," 24 May 2018
White on Saturday called on Abbott to move immediately to transfer remaining funding from the $800 million already allocated over two years for border security to upgrade security at the 3,000 high schools in Texas.

— mike ward, Houston Chronicle, "Andrew White calls for special session on school safety," 19 May 2018
With the federal grant, the state has about $8 million allocated so far.

— drew broach, NOLA.com, "See how Louisiana members of Congress rate with Americans for Financial Reform," 30 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.

Origin and Etymology of allocate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1616

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

allocate Synonyms

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.

Learn More about allocate

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up allocate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

allocate

Definition of allocate

allocatable

allocation

allocator

Examples of allocate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of allocate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of allocate

allocate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

ALLOCATE Defined for English Language Learners

allocate

Definition of allocate for English Language Learners

ALLOCATE Defined for Kids

allocate

Definition of allocate for Students

Learn More about allocate

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Hackneyed Phrases of Yore

Trending: Giuliani: Secret Recordings 'Powerful Exculpatory Evidence'

5 Words for Clumsy People

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

Ghost Word