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

• allot
• allow
• apportion
• assign
• distribute
• lot
• ration

Example Sentences

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

After setting aside a percentage for goals such as buying a car, allocate 10% to 20% to investments. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023

Then for employee engagement and to build company culture among remote workers, leaders could allocate optional time aside for casual conversation. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2023

And then in 2024, lawmakers would allocate another $190 million - $150 million for AHEART and $40 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a separate pot of money to address more long-term projects. —The Courier-Journal, 23 Dec. 2022

The bipartisan legislation would allocate $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary programs and $858 billion in defense funding, according to the bill's summary. —Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022

In return, Globalstar will allocate 85% of its current and future network to Cupertino. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 14 Dec. 2022

State lawmakers must first allocate money to UDOT before land agreements can be made. —Jacob Scholl, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Nov. 2022

Other sections of the bill allocate funds for agriculture research, conservation efforts, drought and disaster assistance, and improving broadband access. —Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2022

Eversource will allocate $10 million for low- and moderate-income customers who need help paying their bills while UI will give $3 million to Operation Fuel, which provides energy assistance to people in need. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Nov. 2022

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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

• sub-allocate

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