allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈa-lə-ˌkāt 

allocated; allocating

transitive verb

1

: to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things : distribute

allocate tasks among human and automated components

2

: to set apart or earmark : designate

allocate a section of the building for special research purposes

allocatable

ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tə-bəl 

adjective

allocation

ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

allocator

ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• allot
• allow
• apportion
• assign
• distribute
• lot
• ration

Examples of allocate in a Sentence

Money from the sale of the house was allocated to each of the children.

We need to determine the best way to allocate our resources.

Have enough funds been allocated to finance the project?

Recent Examples on the Web

Virginia farmer John Boyd Jr. on methane tracking satellite: 'Very alarming for America' Virginia farmer John Boyd Jr., weighs in on a watchdog's satellite tracking methane emissions and a provision in the omnibus bill that allocates funds for electronically tracking livestock. —Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 8 June 2024

The biennial point-in-time homeless count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used to help determine how federal funding for services should be allocated. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

Ashkenazi was an instrumental part in developing investment strategies and allocating the windfall. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 5 June 2024

There are 20 delegates up for grabs in the Democratic presidential primary, which will be allocated proportionally based on Tuesday's results. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin allocātus, past participle of allocāre "to place, stow, hire out, place on hire, allow, admit, credit," from Latin ad- ad- + locāre "to place, situate" — more at locate

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing allocate

• sub-allocate

Kids Definition

allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈal-ə-ˌkāt 

allocated; allocating

1

: to divide and distribute for a special reason or to particular persons or things

allocate funds among charities

2

: to set apart for a particular purpose

allocate materials for a project

allocation

ˌal-ə-ˈkā-shən 

noun