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allocate — to distribute or assign resources, tasks, or responsibilities for a particular purpose

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to distribute or assign resources, tasks, or responsibilities for a particular purpose

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæləkeɪt/

Example Sentences

  • The teacher allocated only 5 minutes for bathroom breaks, causing a mini revolution in the classroom.
  • My mom allocated specific shelves in the fridge for each family member, but somehow my food always disappears.
  • The university allocated scholarships based on both academic merit and financial need.

allocate

VERB

[/ˈæləkeɪt/]

to distribute or assign resources, tasks, or responsibilities for a particular purpose

The manager allocated the project budget to each department before the work began.
💡 Concept

The manager allocated the project budget to each department before the work began.

The coach allocated practice time so every player had a chance to improve. (ALLOCATE → ALLOT → To allocate means to allot or assign resources fairly.)
🧠 Mnemonic

The coach allocated practice time so every player had a chance to improve. (ALLOCATE → ALLOT → To allocate means to allot or assign resources fairly.)

The director allocated tasks, designated team leaders, and coordinated the entire project.
🎵 Rhyme

The director allocated tasks, designated team leaders, and coordinated the entire project.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈæləkeɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈæləkeɪt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixal--
Rootloc
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Medieval Latin 'allocare', derived from the prefix 'ad-' (to) combined with 'locare' (to place or assign), which comes from Latin 'locus' meaning 'place'.

Breakdown

ad- (to) + locare (to place) + -ate (verb suffix) = allocate

🎵Rhyme

dedicatemedicateeducateindicate
dedicate
medicate
educate
indicate

🔗Collocations

allocate resources

“We need to allocate resources more efficiently.”

allocate funds/budget

“The company allocated a large budget for research.”

allocate time

“Please allocate enough time for the presentation.”

allocate memory

“The program failed to allocate sufficient memory.”

fairly allocate

“We must fairly allocate the workload among team members.”

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The teacher allocated only 5 minutes for bathroom breaks, causing a mini revolution in the classroom.”

😄 Fun example

“My mom allocated specific shelves in the fridge for each family member, but somehow my food always disappears.”

“The university allocated scholarships based on both academic merit and financial need.”

“The project manager allocated different tasks to team members according to their expertise.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

assigndistributeapportiondesignateallot

Antonyms

withholdretainhoard

Related

allocationallocatorlocationlocatedistribution

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