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

Leaders who reallocate resources dynamically, rather than sticking to static budgets, are also more likely to capture outsized returns. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

More than $12 million is being reallocated from other Will Rogers Memorial Center projects, using money that was earmarked in 2023. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2025

Additionally, a percentage of all sponsorship revenue would be reallocated to local initiatives. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025

Earlier this year, Nigeria committed an additional $200 million to plug the gaps left by cuts to health programs, and Botswana, Cameroon, and Kenya are all reallocating funding to ensure that critical HIV programs do not close. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above