allocate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to assign or allot for a particular purpose
-
a less common word for locate
Related Words
See assign.
Other Word Forms
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
Explanation
To allocate is to set aside a certain amount of money for an expense. You usually hear about the government allocating funds for education or the military, but you may personally allocate some of your allowance to buying comic books. Aside from money, a common thing to allocate is time: "The old woman in the shoe had so many children she could only allocate 2.7 minutes per day to talk to each one individually." Resources are also often allocated. Teachers, for example, are continuously allocating their year's supply of resources so they don't run out of glue sticks and paper before the end of the school year.
Vocabulary lists containing allocate
Grade 9, List 6
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Nothing But the Truth
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It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Infineon said that the number of divisions–automotive, green industrial power, power and sensor systems, and connected secure systems–would be reduced to three as of July 1 to better allocate responsibilities.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
As a result, low- and middle-income households, who allocate a greater proportion of their income to essentials such as food, housing, or energy, are underweighted.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026
The company’s unions are demanding the company allocate 15% of its operating profits for bonuses and are threatening a general walkout from May 21 to June 7 unless a deal with management is reached.
From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026
Of course, this will require you to allocate more money toward social activities.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026
These people whose job it was to allocate capital apparently didn’t even know how to manage their own.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
