reallocate

verb

re·​al·​lo·​cate (ˌ)rē-ˈa-lə-ˌkāt 

reallocated; reallocating; reallocates

transitive verb

: to allocate (something) again: such as

a

: to apportion or distribute (something) in a new or different way

The best way to start an overhaul of the nation's statistical system would be to reallocate funds from the Agriculture Department to other agencies.

—Joseph Spiers

b

: to earmark or designate (something) for a new or different purpose

In recent years, many local low-income housing units … have been demolished or reallocated to serve wealthier residents.

—Hannah Russell

reallocation

(ˌ)rē-ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

plural reallocations

… the reallocation of local property taxes from library budgets to school districts …

—Ruth Perry

The reallocation for overflow parking could take away as many as 75 spots from resident students during its allotted hours …

—Emma Reith

Examples of reallocate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Together, these factors are prompting institutions to reallocate capital into hedge funds—not only for return potential, but also as part of a broader strategy to increase portfolio robustness. —Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Fink was formerly vociferous about the importance of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing, and has argued that climate change is reshaping finance, creating an imperative for executives to reallocate their capital to address the crisis accordingly. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026

That effort could be derailed if the attorneys general cannot secure a court injunction, and the new state funding must be reallocated to backfill federal funding gaps. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026

There are also plans to reallocate a number of paraeducator positions. —Dennis Valera, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above