earmark

American  

[eer-mahrk] / ˈɪərˌmɑrk /

noun

1. any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic.

   The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.

2. a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.

3. a provision in a piece of Congressional legislation that directs specified federal funds to specific projects, programs, organizations, or individuals.

   Lawmakers requested almost 40,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion directed to their home districts and states.

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verb (used with object)

1. to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc..

   to earmark goods for export.

2. to mark with an earmark.

earmark British  

/ ˈɪəˌmɑːk /

verb

1. to set aside or mark out for a specific purpose

2. to make an identification mark on the ear of (a domestic animal)

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noun

1. a mark of identification on the ear of a domestic animal

2. any distinguishing mark or characteristic

Other Word Forms

• unearmarked adjective

Etymology

Origin of earmark

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

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

For example, producers like Shell and BP keep stocks at terminals and refineries around the UK and can earmark stocks held elsewhere as counting towards their reserves.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Based on its market share, analysts calculate that the bank could face an up to 2.0 billion-pound total charge and will need to earmark more cash to cover the difference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Tucked in a $10 billion climate bond on the November ballot is an earmark to improve drinking water quality for communities such as East Orosi.

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2024

A nearby intersection with Interstate 15 has received $6 million over two years in earmark funding to untangle vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

Anderson used his power to earmark municipal funds to clean up the Black Belt’s crumbling sewers and streets.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• allocate
• designate
• set aside