1
: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2
: a distinguishing mark
all the earmarks of poverty
3
: a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization
earmarked; earmarking; earmarks
1
a
: to mark (livestock) with an earmark
b
: to mark in a distinguishing manner
2
: to designate (something, such as funds) for a specific use or owner
money earmarked for education
Examples of earmark in a Sentence
Verb
The project uses funds that had been earmarked for education.
the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car
Recent Examples on the Web
Heather McCambly, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The return of congressional earmarks, reinstated in 2021 when Democrats controlled the House and Senate, might help.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 21 May 2026
Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
The lawsuit also alleged that officers assigned to the Police Department’s youth gang and drug prevention education programs were paid using COMBAT grant funds — Jackson County tax dollars earmarked for anti-crime programs — despite not performing duties required under the grants.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for earmark
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Noun
At the same time, Republican Senator John Boozman from Arkansas secured $45 million in earmarks to upgrade the University of Arkansas Medical Center, which is a predominantly white school.
—Heather McCambly, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The return of congressional earmarks, reinstated in 2021 when Democrats controlled the House and Senate, might help.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 21 May 2026
Verb
As for the rest, negotiations continue on the technical areas earmarked for tighter cooperation.
—Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
The lawsuit also alleged that officers assigned to the Police Department’s youth gang and drug prevention education programs were paid using COMBAT grant funds — Jackson County tax dollars earmarked for anti-crime programs — despite not performing duties required under the grants.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for earmark
Cite this Entry
“Earmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earmark. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earmark
1 of 2 noun
ear·mark
ˈi(ə)r-ˌmärk 
1
: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2
: a mark or quality by which something can be identified
the earmarks of success
earmark
2 of 2 verb1
: to mark with or as if with an earmark
2
: to set aside for a special purpose
money earmarked for a vacation
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