earmark

Meaning

Noun

1. A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc.
2. (figuratively) A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership.
3. (figuratively) An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose; specifically (US, politics), a designation by the Congress that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.

Verb

1. (transitive) To make a mark or attach a tag to the ear of (an animal, chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To put a distinguishing or identifying mark or sign on (something); to make (something) distinctive or identifiable.
3. (figuratively, transitive) To designate or set aside (someone or something) for a particular purpose; to allocate.
4. (figuratively, transitive) Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.
5. (UK, figuratively, transitive) Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.
6. (US, figuratively, transitive) Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.

Synonyms

assign

allot

appoint

allocate

appropriate

set aside

hallmark

mark

destine

brand

reserve

summons

subpoena

designate

allow

ordain

signal

sign

trademark

stylemark

prescribe

property

route

set apart

specified

stamp

stud

symptom

tag

token

impress

apportion

ascribe

attach

attribute

award

bestow

character

consign

dedicate

dispose

distinctive mark

engrave

flag

hold

accredit

keep

label

🏷️

lay out

notice

Translations

destinar

asignar

assignieren

designar

toewijzen

assignar

assignare

allouer

zuweisen

attribuer

vorladen

überweisen

zugedenken

zitieren

assigner

Etymology

The noun is derived from ear + mark. The verb is derived from the noun.