earmark

1 of 2

noun

ear·​mark ˈir-ˌmärk 

1

: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal

2

: a distinguishing mark

all the earmarks of poverty

3

: a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization

earmark

2 of 2

verb

earmarked; earmarking; earmarks

transitive verb

1

a

: to mark (livestock) with an earmark

b

: to mark in a distinguishing manner

2

: to designate (something, such as funds) for a specific use or owner

money earmarked for education

Synonyms

Verb

• allocate
• consecrate
• dedicate
• devote
• give up (to)
• reserve
• save
• set by

Examples of earmark in a Sentence

Verb

The project uses funds that had been earmarked for education.

the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Flashback: As of August, the education department distributed more than $42 million in grants of a $50 million earmark to state schools to increase and modernize security according to recommendations from Arkansas' 2022 School Safety Commission Report. —Worth Sparkman, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

Worse yet, earmarks often make organizations sit on unspent money, since restricted donations can be used only for very specific purposes. —Tine Hanrieder, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2016

Verb

The Unicorns had earmarked a site in Santa Clara, but are currently widening their search although the ground will most likely be in the Silicon Valley. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Hogan had earmarked that money his first year in office, after canceling a $2.9 billion light rail in Baltimore and diverting those funds to highway, road, and bridge projects. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

earmark

1 of 2 noun

ear·​mark ˈi(ə)r-ˌmärk 

1

: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal

2

: a mark or quality by which something can be identified

the earmarks of success

earmark

2 of 2 verb

1

: to mark with or as if with an earmark

2

: to set aside for a special purpose

money earmarked for a vacation