Allocation: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：assigning resources (allocation)

allocation 🔊

/ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/

the act of giving something to a person or for a purpose.

Illustration of resource allocation: manager explaining a departmental budget pie chart.

assigning resources 🔊

➕

/əˈsaɪnɪŋ ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/

The process or action of distributing resources, funds, or tasks to specific people or purposes.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'locus' (place), via 'allocare' (to place).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'a location' where resources are placed or assigned.

📖 Example

The manager announced the allocation of the project's budget to different teams. 🔊 The manager announced the assigning of the project's budget to different teams.

🔗 Collocations

budget allocation – the distribution of financial resources

resource allocation – the process of assigning available assets

allocation of funds – the act of designating money for specific uses

🔄 Synonyms

distribution (n.) – the act of giving out shares of something

apportionment (n.) – the act of dividing and assigning proportionally

allotment (n.) – a share or portion assigned

🚫 Antonyms

retention (n.) – the act of keeping something rather than giving it away

hoarding (n.) – the practice of accumulating and storing things without distributing them

🌱 Derivatives

allocate (v.) – to set aside or designate for a specific purpose

allocative (adj.) – relating to the process of allocation

allocator (n.) – one who or that which allocates

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'allocare' (to place), the term entered English through legal and accounting contexts, specifically referring to the act of assigning funds or resources. Its modern usage is central to business, computer science (e.g., memory allocation), and government budgeting, reflecting organized distribution.

Meaning 2：assigned portion (allocation)

allocation 🔊

/ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/

the amount of something that is given to you.

Visual of a specific allocation: student viewing their assigned desk seat on a booking system.

assigned portion 🔊

➕

/əˈsaɪnd pɔːrʃn/

The specific amount, share, or portion of something that is designated or granted to someone.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Each student receives a weekly time allocation for using the library's computer lab. 🔊 Each student receives a weekly assigned portion of time for using the library's computer lab.

🔗 Collocations

time allocation – the amount of time assigned for a particular activity

seat allocation – the specific seat assigned to a passenger or attendee

allocation system – a method or process for distributing shares or portions