allocation
al-uh-KAY-shuhn
/ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/
The action or process of distributing resources (money, time, medical supplies) for a particular purpose.
Implies a conscious, often difficult decision about how to divide a limited supply.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'locare' (to place). It literally means 'to place something toward' a specific person or goal. It was originally used in land management to describe assigning specific plots of land.
Word relationships
- distribution: Distribution is the general act of giving out; allocation is the 'allotting' of specific amounts for specific reasons.
- allotment: Allotment usually refers to the portion given; allocation is the process of giving it.
- hoarding: Hoarding is keeping resources for oneself rather than distributing them.
Commonly confused with
- location: Location is where something is; allocation is the act of 'placing' resources where they are needed.
Word family
- allocate (verb): distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
Collocations
- resource allocation
- budget allocation
- asset allocation
- efficient allocation
Example sentences
- "The allocation of ventilators during the pandemic required agonizing ethical decisions." Emergency medicine
- "The government's allocation of funds to healthcare has increased by 10%." Budgeting
Memory hook
Al-location: Putting things in their 'location'. Assigning to a location.
When not to use
Don't use it for accidental spreading; it must be a planned distribution.
Fun facts
- In computer science, 'memory allocation' is the process of setting aside sections of a computer's memory for specific programs.
Explore more words
allocate, Diversify, redistribution, distributive, distribution, deploy
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.