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
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025
Gaddis’ firing last Aug. 31 has all the earmarks of another act of retribution by an administration known for punishing its critics with brutal precision.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
About $21 million in parks and recreation grants were previously announced in mid-August 2024 and another $2.6 million was awarded in mid-September 2024, including $3.8 million earmarked for Hendersonville city parks.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for earmark
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Noun
Any cuts to local earmarks would be sure to draw pushback from state lawmakers who push the requests through the budget process.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025
Gaddis’ firing last Aug. 31 has all the earmarks of another act of retribution by an administration known for punishing its critics with brutal precision.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Verb
California has escalated its fight against President Donald Trump's administration after the federal government rescinded $4 billion in funding earmarked for the state's ambitious high-speed rail project.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
About $21 million in parks and recreation grants were previously announced in mid-August 2024 and another $2.6 million was awarded in mid-September 2024, including $3.8 million earmarked for Hendersonville city parks.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 18 July 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 29 Jul. 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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