earmark

American  

[eer-mahrk] / ˈɪərˌmɑrk /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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)

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noun

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

2. any distinguishing mark or characteristic

Other Word Forms

• unearmarked adjective

Etymology

Origin of earmark

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

Example Sentences

Here’s a deeper dive into Congress’s nasty earmark habit:

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Tucked in a $10 billion climate bond on the November ballot is an earmark to improve drinking water quality for communities such as East Orosi.

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2024

The toll lane project could cost as much as $650 million, said David Knudsen, a deputy executive director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the agency that requested the earmark.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

In order to gain access to the scheme, farmers will have to commit to planting 10% of their land with trees and earmark another 10% as wildlife habitat.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2024

Anderson used his power to earmark municipal funds to clean up the Black Belt’s crumbling sewers and streets.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• allocate
• designate
• set aside