allocate
verb
al·lo·cate
ˈa-lə-ˌkāt 
allocated; allocating
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
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
The state had previously allocated $5 million for cold weather resources such as emergency beds and faster responses.
—
Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
The council also ordered up a measure doubling the amount of money allocated for the Department of Recreation and Parks, discarding an alternative plan that would have increased it by 50%.
—Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Research finds that campaigns that allocate 25% of total media spend to audio deliver the strongest uplift, with an overall campaign return on investment that is 9% higher than campaigns without audio in the mix.
—Sally Percy, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Under the island’s current economic model, the government largely determines what is produced, who produces it, the prices at which goods are sold and how the country’s resources are allocated.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for allocate
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Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
The council also ordered up a measure doubling the amount of money allocated for the Department of Recreation and Parks, discarding an alternative plan that would have increased it by 50%.
—Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Research finds that campaigns that allocate 25% of total media spend to audio deliver the strongest uplift, with an overall campaign return on investment that is 9% higher than campaigns without audio in the mix.
—Sally Percy, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Under the island’s current economic model, the government largely determines what is produced, who produces it, the prices at which goods are sold and how the country’s resources are allocated.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for allocate
Cite this Entry
“Allocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allocate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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