1
: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2
: a distinguishing mark
all the earmarks of poverty
3
: a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization
earmarked; earmarking; earmarks
1
a
: to mark (livestock) with an earmark
b
: to mark in a distinguishing manner
2
: to designate (something, such as funds) for a specific use or owner
money earmarked for education
Examples of earmark in a Sentence
Verb
The project uses funds that had been earmarked for education.
the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Lawmakers are trying to secure money for these projects and groups — formerly known as earmarks — through the annual appropriations process.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025
Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Just a day before Amtrak unveiled its new Acela trains, his department withdrew another $175 million earmarked for California rail projects.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earmark
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Noun
Amid committee debates on culture war issues and earmarks for various defense programs, Moulton proposed a series of amendments that would make changes to the Golden Dome.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Lawmakers are trying to secure money for these projects and groups — formerly known as earmarks — through the annual appropriations process.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Season 1 of Irish Blood focuses on Fiona Fox (Silverstone), whose path in life is earmarked by her father, who seemingly abandoned her and her mother on her tenth birthday.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Just a day before Amtrak unveiled its new Acela trains, his department withdrew another $175 million earmarked for California rail projects.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earmark
Cite this Entry
“Earmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earmark. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earmark
1 of 2 noun
ear·mark
ˈi(ə)r-ˌmärk 
1
: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2
: a mark or quality by which something can be identified
the earmarks of success
earmark
2 of 2 verb1
: to mark with or as if with an earmark
2
: to set aside for a special purpose
money earmarked for a vacation
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