verb
Uncommon
allocate
AL-uh-kayt
Allocate (verb) means to set aside or assign something for a particular purpose. Example: “The council allocated extra funding to local schools.”
verb
1
To set aside or assign something for a particular purpose.
"The council allocated extra funding to local schools."
"Each department was allocated a fixed budget for the year."
2
In computing, to reserve a block of memory for a program to use.
"The program crashed because it couldn't allocate enough memory."
How to use allocate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo assign a fixed share of something — money, time, resources — to a particular purpose or person.
Common pairings
allocate funds
allocate resources
allocate time
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Word forms
- Plural
- allocates
- Third person singular
- allocates
- Past tense
- allocated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The council _____ extra funding to local schools.
Etymology
From Latin allocare, "to place" — built from ad- ("to") and locare ("to place"), the same root that gives English "locate."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for allocate
See all rhymes for allocate →Frequently asked questions
What does “allocate” mean?
The word “allocate” means to set aside or assign something for a particular purpose. In plain terms, to assign a fixed share of something — money, time, resources — to a particular purpose or person.
How do you pronounce “allocate”?
“Allocate” is pronounced AL-uh-kayt (/ˈæl.əˌkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “allocate” in a sentence?
Here is “allocate” used in a sentence: “The council allocated extra funding to local schools.”
What part of speech is “allocate”?
“Allocate” is a verb.
Where does the word “allocate” come from?
The word “allocate” comes from Latin. From Latin allocare, "to place" — built from ad- ("to") and locare ("to place"), the same root that gives English "locate.".
Is “allocate” a common word?
“Allocate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “allocate” have?
“Allocate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to set aside or assign something for a particular purpose.
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