allocate

[al-uh-keyt]

verb (used with object)

allocated, allocating 

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. a less common word for locate

Other Word Forms

• allocator noun
• deallocate verb (used with object)
• reallocate verb (used with object)
• allocatable adjective

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

The broker will allocate the shares you bought the day after the IPO pricing, but there is no guarantee you will get the number of shares you requested.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Shutting down stores like its flagship Seattle Reserve Roastery location was painful, but they were losing money, he said, and closing underperforming locations helps allocate resources to other cafes.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Beyond logistical questions about what authority the administration may use to allocate that revenue, there is the question of how the bond market will react to tariff revenue being redirected away from lowering the deficit.

Read more on Barron's

“We must ensure that nothing like this ever happens again and that every penny that we are allocating to victims goes directly to the survivors.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The 20 seats allocated to them will remain vacant until polls can take place.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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