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Allocate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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allocate

[ˈæl.ə.keɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in business

To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose or area. It involves assigning tasks or responsibilities to different individuals or departments.

Synonyms

apportion, assign, distribute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allocate

Use this word when you need to distribute resources or responsibilities for a particular purpose or to various parts. Often used in formal settings, such as business or project management.

  • The company will allocate funds for the new project.
  • We need to allocate our time efficiently to meet the deadline.
assign

Use this word when you need to designate or set aside something for a specific task or person. It's common in everyday language as well as in professional settings.

  • The teacher will assign homework to the students.
  • He was assigned to lead the new marketing campaign.
apportion

This word is used when you need to distribute or divide something into parts or shares, typically in a fair or proportionate way. It's often used in legal or formal financial contexts.

  • The judge will apportion the assets equally among the heirs.
  • We need to apportion the expenses according to usage.
distribute

This word is used when spreading something over an area or among a number of recipients, often suggesting a more physical or logistical action. It's common in both everyday and business contexts.

  • They will distribute the flyers in the neighborhood.
  • The company will distribute the products to various retailers.

Examples of usage

  • The manager decided to allocate the budget for marketing campaigns.
  • The team leader allocated specific roles to each team member.
Context #2 | Verb

in computer science

To reserve a chunk of memory for a specific purpose, such as storing data or running a program. It involves setting aside a portion of memory for a particular use.

Synonyms

dedicate, reserve, set aside.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allocate

This term is often used in formal or business settings when discussing the distribution of resources, time, or tasks. It implies a planned and organized distribution.

  • The company decided to allocate more funds to the marketing department.
  • Please allocate some time in your schedule for the meeting.
reserve

Use this term when something is kept back or saved for a special purpose or future use. It often implies setting something aside to make sure it is available when needed.

  • We need to reserve a conference room for the meeting next week.
  • Please reserve your comments until the end of the presentation.
set aside

This phrase means to save or keep something for a specific purpose, often used in both formal and informal settings. It can also imply putting something aside temporarily to focus on something else.

  • She set aside some money each month for her vacation.
  • Let's set aside our differences and work together.
dedicate

This word is used when someone commits time, effort, or resources to a specific purpose, often with a sense of passion or strong intent. It has a more personal and emotional connotation.

  • She decided to dedicate her life to helping the less fortunate.
  • He dedicated two hours every day to practicing the piano.

Examples of usage

  • The program needs to allocate memory for the new data structure.
  • The operating system allocates memory for each running application.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • In economics, allocation refers to how resources are assigned to various uses, like money or materials.
  • Effective allocation of resources is key to maximizing efficiency in production and distribution.

Project Management

  • In project management, tasks are allocated to team members based on their skills, ensuring the project runs smoothly.
  • Proper allocation of time and resources can significantly impact project success rates.

Technology

  • In computer science, memory allocation refers to the process of assigning memory to various applications and processes.
  • Dynamic memory allocation allows programs to request and release memory as needed during runtime, improving efficiency.

Social Sciences

  • Allocation can reflect social hierarchies; who gets what can show who's in power or how fairly a society distributes resources.
  • Understanding allocation patterns in welfare systems can help policymakers improve support for underprivileged communities.

Origin of 'allocate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'allocare', meaning 'to place somewhere' or 'to assign'.
  • It entered the English language in the late 15th century, primarily used in academic and administrative contexts.

The word 'allocate' originated from the Latin word 'allocare', meaning 'to place'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The term has evolved over time to represent the act of distributing or assigning resources, tasks, or responsibilities.

See also: allocatable, allocated, allocating, allocation, misallocate, reallocate, reallocation, unallocated, underallocation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,348, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.