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
Nick Sullivan
july 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 July 2026
At the same time, Republican Senator John Boozman from Arkansas secured $45 million in earmarks to upgrade the University of Arkansas Medical Center, which is a predominantly white school.
—
Heather McCambly,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
New Atlas,
3 July 2026
One such casualty was $500,000 that had been earmarked for the WWI museum and memorial.
—
Matthew Kelly
july 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for earmark
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Noun
The budget earmarks most grant money for a new purpose and caps how much NC IOLTA can dole out each year based on when the funds were collected.
—
Nick Sullivan
july 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 July 2026
At the same time, Republican Senator John Boozman from Arkansas secured $45 million in earmarks to upgrade the University of Arkansas Medical Center, which is a predominantly white school.
—
Heather McCambly,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
Verb
Shilaya looks south over a garden earmarked for future cottages, with staff quarters to the west.
—
New Atlas,
3 July 2026
One such casualty was $500,000 that had been earmarked for the WWI museum and memorial.
—
Matthew Kelly
july 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for earmark
Cite this Entry
“Earmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earmark. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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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