allocate

[ al-uh-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, al·lo·cat·ed, al·lo·cat·ing.

1. to set apart for a particular purpose; assign or allot:

   to allocate funds for new projects.

allocate

/ ˈæləˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to assign or allot for a particular purpose
2. See locate
   a less common word for locate

Derived Forms

• ˈalloˌcatable, adjective

Other Words From

• al·lo·ca·tor noun
• de·al·lo·cate verb (used with object) deallocated deallocating
• re·al·lo·cate verb (used with object) reallocated reallocating

Word History and Origins

Origin of allocate¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Medieval Latin allocātus (past participle of allocāre ), equivalent to al- al- + loc(us) “place” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of allocate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin allocāre, from Latin locāre to place, from locus a place

Synonym Study

See assign.

Example Sentences

Also, our house will be paid off so we can allocate those savings to other investments.

From The Daily Beast

And we can talk about whether we want to allocate fewer resources to the aged.

From The Daily Beast

I recommend you allocate 30% to a broad international stock fund, and 70% in a broad US index fund, such as an S&P500 fund.

From The Daily Beast

Why allocate education dollars to a community perceived to be off the charts with spelling-bee winners and academic scholars?

From The Daily Beast

While this frees up resources the Romney camp can allocate elsewhere, it could prove costly if it lets Santorum on the board.

From The Daily Beast

And we have been able to allocate all the haloes so far investigated to one or the other of the known radioactive families.

From Project Gutenberg

I once intended to allocate a pocket especially for greenbacks, but found it unnecessary.

From Project Gutenberg

My specimens also showed these intermediate tendencies and I am unable at present to allocate the specimens to subspecies.

From Project Gutenberg

It was accordingly arranged to allocate yards or separate sections of yards, so that one class of tonnage only would be produced.

From Project Gutenberg

Some will have two, some three, some a number of members; and on what system will you allocate the members to these divisions?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allot
• apportion
• appropriate
• designate
• earmark
• give
• set aside