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

Krugman drew a straight line from France’s retirement largesse to the student unrest, highlighting the generational tensions over how to allocate public resources to baby boomers versus the country’s youth. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

The Constitution allocates political power — specifically representation in the House of Representatives — and draws political districts in relation to decennial census counts of population size. — Nancy Krieger, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026

However, Howard also recommends investors also allocate some funds to international bonds to diversify their portfolios. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

The 10 Percent Profit Pledge initiative allocates a portion of Rituals’ net profits to supporting the well-being of people and the planet. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

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
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• amputate
• angulate
• annotate

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