verb

allocate

/ˈæl.ə.keɪt/ · say it: AL·uh·kayt

to distribute for a purpose

In more detail

1. (verb) to distribute or divide something among different people or uses; to give someone a share or portion of something

2. (verb) to officially assign or set apart something for a specific purpose

Examples

1. The budget allocated $5 million to education and $3 million to healthcare.
2. The company allocated a new office space for the marketing team.

How to use allocate

Allocate is a neutral, formal verb commonly used in business, administration, and management contexts to describe the systematic distribution of finite resources or the official assignment of something for a particular purpose. It suggests deliberate decision-making and fair or strategic division, and is more formal than the everyday verb 'give' or 'share'.

Common phrases

allocate resources
allocate funds
allocate time
allocate budget
allocate space

Synonyms

distribute · assign · apportion · allot · designate

Opposites

withhold · retain · consolidate

Word family

allocation (noun) · allocator (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'allocate' with 'locate' (to find the position of something), or use it with 'for' when 'to' is more natural (e.g., 'allocate resources to projects' rather than 'allocate resources for projects').

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