noun
Common
allocation
al-uh-KAY-shuhn
Allocation (noun) means the act of assigning something, especially money or resources, for a particular purpose. Example: “The school is waiting for the allocation of money for its new library.”
noun
1
The act of assigning something, especially money or resources, for a particular purpose.
"The school is waiting for the allocation of money for its new library."
"The government announced a new allocation of funds for hospitals."
"Each team member has an allocation of tasks for the sprint."
2
The specific share or amount assigned.
"Each student receives an allocation of ten pages of printing per week."
"Our allocation of tickets for the final was only four per family."
"Her monthly allocation of overtime hours had already been used up."
How to use allocation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA share of something — often money, resources, or time — that has been set aside for a specific purpose.
Common pairings
budget allocation
resource allocation
seat allocation
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Word forms
- Plural
- allocations
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The school is waiting for the _____ of money for its new library.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin allocatio, built on the same root as "allocate."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for allocation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for allocation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “allocation” mean?
The word “allocation” means the act of assigning something, especially money or resources, for a particular purpose. In plain terms, a share of something — often money, resources, or time — that has been set aside for a specific purpose.
How do you pronounce “allocation”?
“Allocation” is pronounced al-uh-KAY-shuhn (/ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “allocation” in a sentence?
Here is “allocation” used in a sentence: “The government announced a new allocation of funds for hospitals.”
What part of speech is “allocation”?
“Allocation” is a noun.
Where does the word “allocation” come from?
The word “allocation” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin allocatio, built on the same root as "allocate.".
Is “allocation” a common word?
“Allocation” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “allocation” have?
“Allocation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of assigning something, especially money or resources, for a particular purpose.
What is the difference between "allocation" and "allowance"?
"Allocation" refers to the act of assigning money or resources for a purpose, or the specific share assigned. "Allowance" more often refers to a fixed sum given regularly, such as to a child, or an amount permitted as a deduction, making it narrower in typical use.
Is "allocation" a countable or uncountable noun?
"Allocation" can be both. Used uncountably it refers to the general act of assigning resources ("the allocation of funds"), and used countably it refers to a specific share ("each department received an allocation").
What is the difference between "allocation" and "allotment"?
Both refer to a share or amount assigned for a purpose. "Allocation" is more commonly used in business, finance, and organizational contexts, while "allotment" is often used for physical portions, such as land, or formal distributions.
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