earmark

1 of 2

noun

ear·​mark ˈir-ˌmärk How to pronounce earmark (audio)
1
: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2
: a distinguishing mark
all the earmarks of poverty
3
: a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization

earmark

2 of 2

verb

earmarked; earmarking; earmarks

transitive verb

1
a
: to mark (livestock) with an earmark
b
: to mark in a distinguishing manner
2
: to designate (something, such as funds) for a specific use or owner
money earmarked for education

Examples of earmark in a Sentence

Verb The project uses funds that had been earmarked for education. the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The first tranche of spending bills also includes more than $12.6 billion in earmarks, funding requested by lawmakers of both parties and set aside for projects in their districts or states – another point of frustration for some. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 But House members also get to designate earmarks, and California has 52 House members. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 Actually, California has the largest congressional delegation of any state, because earmarks happen in both chambers. Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2024 Porter focused her attacks on Schiff for using a congressional tool called earmarks and taking Big Oil PAC money. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 Notorious examples of wasteful spending led Congress to nix earmarks in 2011. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024 Of the millions of dollars the Legislature earmarks each year for efforts to diversify hiring, most is sent to the state’s 73 community college districts, which then distribute it to the 116 community colleges. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2024 The ban would have applied to the earmarks contained in that bill. David Sivak, Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2023 The Senate on Thursday voted down a ban on earmarks as the chamber considers a trio of bills to fund the government next year. David Sivak, Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2023
Verb
The new interest in such sponsorship has been growing as TV networks see many of their mainstay clients earmarking more dollars for competing new-tech video outlets, spurring a decline in overall ad sales in recent quarters for many of their corporate parents. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Winn was one of the young pitchers the Giants had earmarked spots for in their rotation, along with Kyle Harrison and Tristan Beck, but shortly into camp he was shut down out of precaution when his elbow started barking after a bullpen session. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 These raffles routinely raise anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 in revenue that’s earmarked for law enforcement and for access projects. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024 Those efforts are already underway: the Biden administration earmarked $35 billion in below-market-rate loans to help developers with these types of conversions last fall, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams greenlit a policy to relax conversion eligibility rules last fall. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 25 Feb. 2024 Chicago Bears The releases of veteran S Eddie Jackson and OL Cody Whitehair last week created even more financial flexibility, GM Ryan Poles now operating with nearly $67 million ahead of free agency – and some portion of that could be earmarked to retain CB Jaylon Johnson. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 The authorities have also earmarked the equivalent of $49 billion to build low-cost housing. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 The sentiment has captured a segment of the Republican Party, which has blocked the Biden administration’s attempts to earmark some $61 billion in fresh funding for Ukraine. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Of the $61 billion earmarked for supporting Ukraine, nearly $20 billion is devoted to replenishing Defense Department inventory. Noah Rothman, National Review, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earmark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of earmark was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near earmark

Cite this Entry

“Earmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earmark. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

earmark

1 of 2 noun
ear·​mark ˈi(ə)r-ˌmärk How to pronounce earmark (audio)
1
: a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2
: a mark or quality by which something can be identified
the earmarks of success

earmark

2 of 2 verb
1
: to mark with or as if with an earmark
2
: to set aside for a special purpose
money earmarked for a vacation

More from Merriam-Webster on earmark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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