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

Hospitals may need to reallocate staff to manage preventable diseases — resources that would otherwise be dedicated to chronic disease management or emerging health threats. —A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026

This might mean that these campaigns will have to be combined with other public health efforts already underway, or that each country reallocates resources toward these efforts. —Philip Budge, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026

Resources for mental health diversion were reallocated to implement Proposition 36, Raven said. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Analysts say the sale will allow Etsy to reallocate money to Etsy's operations. —Itzel Franco, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above