earmark

1 of 2

noun

ear·​mark ˈir-ˌmärk 

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

earmark

2 of 2

verb

earmarked; earmarking; earmarks

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of earmark

Verb

• dedicate
• devote
• save

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

Noun

After earmarks were debated in last year’s budget, the issue came up again this week in an omnibus bill that was approved by the state Senate on Wednesday and then debated in the state House of Representatives on Thursday. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026

From jazz history to oyster shell recycling to tuna research, lawmakers returned to earmarks en masse after a pause in 2025. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2026

Verb

In 1984, Congress passed the California Wilderness Act, which earmarked 3 million acres of National Forest land within the state as Designated Wilderness. —Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026

That includes money earmarked for North Texas. —Bo Evans, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for earmark

• ballpark
• benchmark
• birthmark
• daymark
• embark
• hallmark
• landmark
• monarch
• postmark
• remark
• skylark
• tetrarch

Kids 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 verb

1

: to mark with or as if with an earmark

2

: to set aside for a special purpose

money earmarked for a vacation