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
At the center of the campaign is a debate over how to tackle regional traffic congestion and allocate taxpayer funds across the valley. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026 Finally, given the size of certain funds, there is simply no way to efficiently allocate capital in small amounts for an anchor asset. — Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026 After allocating about 8% of GDP to NEOM, once contract cancellations are included, the government has admitted a costly defeat. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Each party allocates its seats to members based on a list of candidates published before elections. — Hannah Ridge, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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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