verb (used with object), al·lo·cat·ed, al·lo·cat·ing.
- to set apart for a particular purpose; assign or allot: to allocate funds for new projects.
- to fix the place of; locate.
verb (tr)
- to assign or allot for a particular purpose
- a less common word for locate (def. 2)
1630s, from verbal used of adjective allocate (mid-15c. in legal use), from Medieval Latin allocate (the common first word of writs authorizing payment), imperative plural of allocare “allocate,” from Latin ad- “to” (see ad-) + locare “to place” (see locate). Related: Allocated; allocating.