View synonyms for

earmark

[ eer-mahrk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic:
The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.
a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.
a provision in a piece of Congressional legislation that directs specified federal funds to specific projects, programs, organizations, or individuals: Compare pork barrel.
Lawmakers requested almost 40,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion directed to their home districts and states.

verb (used with object)

to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc.:
to earmark goods for export.
to mark with an earmark.

earmark

/ ˈɪəˌ��ɑː�� /

verb

to set aside or mark out for a specific purpose
to make an identification mark on the ear of (a domestic animal)

noun

a mark of identification on the ear of a domestic animal
any distinguishing mark or characteristic

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Other Word Forms

�ܲ�·�𲹰�m�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of earmark¹

First recorded in 1515–25; ear ¹ + mark ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Then some or all of the funding available for research is earmarked for those specific species in the call for proposals.

From

People living near a US airbase earmarked to house nuclear weapons say they are being left in the dark about what would happen in the event of a radiation alert.

From

The spokesperson added that a further £3.2bn would be allocated for school budgets, with £1bn earmarked for children and young people with high needs.

From

While Harvard's endowment is eye-popping, it says 70% of the money is earmarked for specific projects - which is typical for educational endowments, according to Mr Bloom.

From

Casement Park, with a 34,500 capacity, had been earmarked to host football games at the Euro 2028 football tournament but, with the project on hold, the plan has been shelved.

From

early wood ear-minded

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