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

So memory is being reallocated, quietly but decisively, away from consumer electronics and toward AI infrastructure, which is tightening the squeeze on consumer devices. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Hochschild and Bonta say that Interior illegally reallocated federal taxpayer dollars to pay Golden State Wind to abandon its offshore wind energy lease and invest an equal amount in out-of-state fossil fuel projects, which will do nothing to support California’s energy economy. —ABC News, 23 June 2026

Colorado officials are reallocating money not used to clear snow over the winter due to the record-low snowpack. —Alan Gionet, CBS News, 21 June 2026

What closing the Morrison Y means for workers The 87,000-square-foot facility, which is nearly 25 years old, will remain operational for another year, during which time staff will be reallocated within the association, YMCA leaders said. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above