allocate

American  

[al-uh-keyt] / ˈæl əˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

allocated, allocating

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

   to allocate funds for new projects.

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allocate British  

/ ˈæləˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to assign or allot for a particular purpose

2. a less common word for locate

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Related Words

See assign.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of allocate

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

Example Sentences

Globally, families allocate a large amount—30.8%, on average—to private markets.

From Barron's

Globally, families allocate a large amount—30.8%, on average—to private markets.

From Barron's

Another $18 million was later allocated for the program, the agency said.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, lawmakers boosted the annual amount allocated to the state’s film and TV tax credit program and expanded the criteria for eligible projects in an attempt to lure production back to California.

From Los Angeles Times

Every month premium subscribers get an allocated number of hours of audiobook listening.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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