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

On top of higher wages, the contract would allow workers to use $5,000 initially allocated for a retirement match to boost their ratification bonus, Axios' Nathan Bomey reports. —Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Nebraska is just one of two states that uses a piecemeal approach to allocating electoral votes instead of a winner-takes-all approach. —Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Launched in August 2023 to rave results, Impulse allocates event photos and updates, thus empowering attendees to be in the moment and helping to produce an immersive experience that encourages engagement both during and after the event. —Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

The holiday season:Here's when Starbucks seasonal drinks hit Arizona in 2024 Coconino National Forest announced that out of the 1,300 available permits, 400 will be allocated for the Flagstaff Ranger District, while 900 will be designated for the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. —Olivia Rose, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 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