Earmark Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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earmark

[ˈɪəˌmɑːk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

government finance

Funds that are set aside for a specific purpose or project in a budget.

Synonyms

allocate, designate, reserve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
earmark	Earmark is often used in financial or resource allocation contexts to indicate that something is set aside for a specific purpose. It can also imply a preliminary designation and sometimes carries a bureaucratic tone. The government decided to earmark funds for the new public library project. She earmarked a portion of her salary for her vacation savings.
allocate	Allocate is typically used in formal or business contexts to describe the distribution of resources, budget, or responsibilities clearly and systematically. The manager allocated tasks to each team member. Funds have been allocated for the development of new software.
designate	Designate is often used to formally name or assign a purpose to something or someone, usually in official contexts. It emphasizes the act of appointing or marking something for a specific role. She was designated as the project leader. The area has been designated for future development.
reserve	Reserve is frequently used in everyday speech to indicate that something is set aside for future use. It often conveys a sense of keeping resources available for when they are specifically needed. Please reserve a table for two at the restaurant. They decided to reserve the conference room for next week's meeting.

Examples of usage

The government has earmarked $1 million for the construction of a new school building.
The earmarked funds cannot be used for any other purpose.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

government finance

To designate funds for a specific purpose or project in a budget.

Synonyms

allocate, designate, reserve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
earmark	Use when specifically setting something aside for a particular purpose, typically in financial or budgetary contexts. Often implies official or formal allocation. The government earmarked funds for the new school project. A percentage of the budget is earmarked for medical research.
allocate	Apply in situations where distributing resources or responsibilities among different parts or people is required. Common in business, project management, and administrative contexts. The manager allocated tasks to each team member. We need to allocate more funds to marketing.
designate	Utilize when officially assigning a particular person to a specific task, role, or position or when marking something for a specific use. Often involves authority or formal appointment. She was designated as the team leader. This area is designated for parking only.
reserve	Employ when saving something for future use or special purposes, or when setting something aside in advance to ensure availability. Can also convey the idea of holding back something for a specific reason. We reserved a table at the restaurant. She reserves weekends for family time.

Examples of usage

The city council voted to earmark $500,000 for road repairs.
The grant was earmarked for research and development.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Finance

In politics, earmarking often refers to specifying funding for particular projects, which sometimes leads to debates on budget allocation.
Governments may earmark tax revenues for designated projects, such as infrastructure or education, to ensure accountability.

Animal Husbandry

Earmarking livestock allows ranchers and farmers to easily identify which animals belong to them, fostering better herd management.
Different marking methods can indicate age, health, or breeding status, vital in agricultural practices.

Education

In many educational contexts, earmarking resources can help allocate special funds for programs like science labs or arts education.
Schools might earmark funds raised from events to improve facilities or support specific student projects.

Technology

In software, earmarking can refer to tagging files or documents for future reference, improving organization and retrieval.
Project management tools often allow users to earmark tasks for specific team members to clarify responsibilities.

Origin of 'earmark'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from combining 'ear' and 'mark,' historically referring to marking livestock's ears to show ownership.
It entered common usage in the 19th century to describe setting aside funds for a specific use, particularly in finance.

The word 'earmark' originated from the practice of physically marking the ears of livestock to identify ownership. Over time, it evolved to refer to setting aside funds for a specific purpose, particularly in government budgets.

See also: ear, earbob, earful, earmarking, earring, earringing, earworm.