# allocation

/ˌæɫəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌæləkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/allocation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the process of sharing resources

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the act of giving out parts of a total amount of something to different people or for different uses.

For teachers: the process or procedure of distributing resources, such as capital, personnel, or equipment, according to a specific plan.

- The efficient allocation of the budget allowed the school to buy new computers for every classroom.
- Economists argue that the efficient allocation of scarce resources is the primary challenge facing developing nations in the current fiscal climate.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of' and then 'to' or 'between'.

### 2. an amount given

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the specific amount of something that you are allowed to have or use.

For teachers: a specific amount or portion of a resource that has been designated for a particular recipient.

- Each department received a small allocation of the total office space.
- The regional manager requested an increased allocation of the marketing budget to support the launch of the new product line in autumn.

### 3. cell development

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the way a young cell in a living thing is limited to becoming a specific type of body part.

For teachers: the restriction of an embryonic cell and its descendants to a specific cell type or body region during development.

- Scientists studied the allocation of cells in the embryo to see how the heart forms.
- The study provides new insights into the genetic triggers that govern cell allocation during the earliest stages of vertebrate morphogenesis.

## Examples

- The weekly food allocation is enough for three people.
- The government increased the budget allocation for public schools to improve classroom technology and hire more teachers.
- Efficient resource allocation remains the primary challenge for the committee, as they must balance immediate humanitarian needs against long-term infrastructure development goals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.