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

Investors are reallocating capital. —Paul Polman, Time, 25 Nov. 2025

If a student does not get a job, the school can reallocate the federal money to a different student. —Amanda Craddock, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025

In order to avert a teacher's strike, the powers that be had to reallocate funds from other areas. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

The Mamdani administration is expected to move forward with its pilot program for city-run grocery stores, reallocating support and budget decisions through 2026. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above