allocate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose

   We allocated funds for the new project.

2. 2
   verb

   To set aside for a purpose.

   Please do not eat the meringue, as it is allocated for the dinner party tomorrow.

3. 3
   verb

   To distribute according to a plan, generally followed by the adposition to.

   The bulk of K–12 education funds are allocated to school districts that in turn pay for the cost of operating schools.

4. 4
   verb

   To reserve a portion of memory for use by a computer program.

   The memory manager allocates memory to requesting processes until there is no more memory available or until there are no more processes waiting for memory.

5. 5
   adj

   allocated

6. 6
   noun

   A writ authorizing payment, allowance, grant.

Etymology

From Middle English allocate (the common first word of writs authorizing payment), from Medieval Latin allocātum, substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of allocātus, see -ate (noun-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more. Alternatively, from allocāte, the second-person plural imperative of allocō, compare English liberate (“a warrant for the payment of a pension, allowance, debt, etc.”).