allocate

verb

al·​lo·​cate ˈa-lə-ˌkāt How to pronounce allocate (audio)
allocated; allocating
Synonyms of allocate

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 How to pronounce allocate (audio)
adjective
allocation
ˌa-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce allocate (audio)
noun
allocator
ˈa-lə-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce allocate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of allocate

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That growth is likely to build as Jersey Mike's embraces more digital marketing initiatives, with the company already planning to allocate 20% of advertising dollars to digital channels over the next 12 to 18 months, Stump said. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 The objective is to allocate capital where each dollar has the highest probability of creating long-term shareholder value. — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Discrepancy theory is a branch of mathematics concerned with allocating resources as evenly as possible. — Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 The website reports that 60 of the units had already been allocated prior to the event, and that the remaining 11 were gone within four hours of the unveiling. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for allocate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of allocate was in 1616

Phrases Containing allocate

Rhymes for allocate

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Browse Nearby Words

allocable
allocate
allocatee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allocate. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

allocate

verb
al·​lo·​cate ˈal-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce allocate (audio)
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 How to pronounce allocate (audio)
noun
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