earmark

/ˌɪərˈmɑrk/

Other forms: earmarked; earmarks; earmarking

To earmark something is to set it aside for a specific purpose. If you’re saving money to spend it in a particular way — whether it’s for college or a fancy new pair of shoes — you have earmarked that money.

Originally, an earmark was a mark on the ear of an animal — such as a sheep — that indicated ownership. Similarly, when government officials earmark a resource, they're indicating what the resource will be used for. Earmarking is usually about money. $10,000 could be earmarked for cancer research. A grant could be earmarked for a children's hospital. Earmarking is a way of stating how something will be used.

Definitions of earmark

1. verb

   give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
   “I will earmark this money for your research”

   synonyms: allow, appropriate, reserve, set aside

   type of:

   allot, assign, portion

   give out
2. noun

   identification mark on the ear of a domestic animal
   type of:

   insignia, mark, marker, marking

   a distinguishing symbol
3. noun

   a distinctive characteristic or attribute
   synonyms: hallmark, stylemark, trademark

   types:

   mold, mould

   a distinctive nature, character, or type

   type of:

   characteristic, discriminant

   a distinguishing quality