Definition of ALLOCATE

allocate

Plural: allocates

Verb

Verb Forms: allocated, allocating, allocates

  • To set aside or designate for a specific purpose.
  • distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose
  • To set aside for a purpose.
  • To distribute according to a plan, generally followed by the adposition to.
  • To reserve a portion of memory for use by a computer program.

Adj

  • allocated

Noun

  • A writ authorizing payment, allowance, grant.

Examples

  • I’ll allocate my best tiles for a bingo on the triple word score.
  • Please do not eat the meringue, as it is allocated for the dinner party tomorrow.
  • The bulk of K–12 education funds are allocated to school districts that in turn pay for the cost of operating schools.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin allocātus, perfect passive participle of Latin allocō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ad- (“to”) + locō. Doublet of allow.

Antonyms

deallocate, free

Scrabble Score: 10

allocate: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
allocate: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
allocate: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

allocate: valid Words With Friends Word