earmark

[eer-mahrk]

noun

1. any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic.

   The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.

2. a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.

3. a provision in a piece of Congressional legislation that directs specified federal funds to specific projects, programs, organizations, or individuals.

   Lawmakers requested almost 40,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion directed to their home districts and states.

verb (used with object)

1. to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc..

   to earmark goods for export.

2. to mark with an earmark.

earmark

/ ˈɪəˌmɑːk /

verb

1. to set aside or mark out for a specific purpose

2. to make an identification mark on the ear of (a domestic animal)

noun

1. a mark of identification on the ear of a domestic animal

2. any distinguishing mark or characteristic

Other Word Forms

• unearmarked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of earmark¹

First recorded in 1515–25; ear ¹ + mark ¹

Example Sentences

Based on its market share, analysts calculate that the bank could face an up to 2.0 billion-pound total charge and will need to earmark more cash to cover the difference.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In early September, House Republicans proposed slashing more than $5 billion from the $18.4 billion earmarked for Title I, putting at risk reading and math teachers, tutors and classroom technology.

Read more on Salon

Some of that money has been earmarked to cover legal and administrative costs.

Read more on BBC

He said there had been a council underspend and £1.9m has been earmarked to pay for changes.

Read more on BBC

"They're using the excuse of the fire as a reason to bring it forward for closure. Would this school have been earmarked for closure had the fire not happened? I don't think it would have."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• allocate 
• designate 
• set aside