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
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Lawmakers are trying to secure money for these projects and groups — formerly known as earmarks — through the annual appropriations process.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has endorsed the move, proposing to earmark a significant portion of those revenues to ensure construction continues even as federal support has been withdrawn.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earmark
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Noun
Amid committee debates on culture war issues and earmarks for various defense programs, Moulton proposed a series of amendments that would make changes to the Golden Dome.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Lawmakers are trying to secure money for these projects and groups — formerly known as earmarks — through the annual appropriations process.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
This is even before the fact that the money was earmarked for your wedding.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has endorsed the move, proposing to earmark a significant portion of those revenues to ensure construction continues even as federal support has been withdrawn.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earmark
Cite this Entry
“Earmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earmark. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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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