allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈa-lə-ˌkāt 

allocated; allocating

transitive verb

1

: to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things : distribute

allocate tasks among human and automated components

2

: to set apart or earmark : designate

allocate a section of the building for special research purposes

allocatable

ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tə-bəl 

adjective

allocation

ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

allocator

ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• allot
• allow
• apportion
• assign
• distribute
• lot
• ration

Examples of allocate in a Sentence

Money from the sale of the house was allocated to each of the children.

We need to determine the best way to allocate our resources.

Have enough funds been allocated to finance the project?

Recent Examples on the Web

And make sure to allocate a specific amount toward debt repayment each month. —Chad Van Horn, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2025

The Biden administration will not be able to allocate $3.8 billion of U.S. aid earmarked for Ukraine before the president leaves the White House, raising questions over the future of the funding when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025

As a business leader, every resource allocated and all strategic business decisions are guided by profitable growth ambitions and value creation objectives. —David Wajsgras, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Some of that success has come as Alo has gained the ability to launch new products and colors on faster cycles, and better understood how best to allocate that new inventory as its store footprint grows. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin allocātus, past participle of allocāre "to place, stow, hire out, place on hire, allow, admit, credit," from Latin ad- ad- + locāre "to place, situate" — more at locate

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing allocate

• sub-allocate

Kids Definition

allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈal-ə-ˌkāt 

allocated; allocating

1

: to divide and distribute for a special reason or to particular persons or things

allocate funds among charities

2

: to set apart for a particular purpose

allocate materials for a project

allocation

ˌal-ə-ˈkā-shən 

noun