allocate

1 of 2

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

allocator

2 of 2

noun

al·​lo·​ca·​tor ˈa-lə-ˌkātər How to pronounce allocator (audio)
plural -s
: one that allocates

Synonyms of allocate

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of allocate in a Sentence

Verb 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.
Verb
The goal is to empower more women to allocate capital, fundamentally changing who gets funded and driving future innovation, rather than waiting for the traditional system to change. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 For years, states have tried to discuss how to allocate and conserve the water in the basin, but negotiations have led to disagreements and even threats of lawsuits. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 In addition, Mexico has allocated over $120 million to help treat raw sewage. — Mark Sanchez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026 But once the extra antiviolence dollars were approved, Novelo said CDPH allocated more of the additional funds to the other grantee, Metropolitan Family Services. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for allocate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allocate was in 1616

Phrases Containing allocate

Rhymes for allocate

See All Rhymes for allocate

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 11 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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