earmark
Americannoun
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any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic.
The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.
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a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.
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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.
verb (used with object)
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to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc..
to earmark goods for export.
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to mark with an earmark.
verb
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to set aside or mark out for a specific purpose
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to make an identification mark on the ear of (a domestic animal)
noun
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a mark of identification on the ear of a domestic animal
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any distinguishing mark or characteristic
Other Word Forms
- unearmarked adjective
Etymology
Origin of earmark
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Capital that was once earmarked for large-cap tech stocks is already being diverted into a market that is far stronger than it has been given credit for.
From MarketWatch
Dismissals would become cheaper and more predictable for employers, who will be required to make monthly contributions into a dedicated fund that is earmarked to cover future severance costs.
He also earmarked US$6.39 million for classes and competitions to "popularise the understanding and use of AI by all levels of society".
From Barron's
And he told AFP on Friday that Kyiv wants European troops -- earmarked to be deployed in Ukraine in case of a halt in fighting -- to be positioned close to the front.
From Barron's
Renovation works continue on nearby Marsh Farm, which has been earmarked as his future home.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
