earmark🔊

(chiefly agriculture) A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal). +

(figurative) A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership.

(figurative, finance) An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose; specifically (US, politics), a designation by the Congress that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.

(chiefly agriculture) To make a mark or attach a tag to the ear of (an animal, chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership.

(figurative) To put a distinguishing or identifying mark or sign on (something); to make (something) distinctive or identifiable.

(figurative) To designate or set aside (someone or something) for a particular purpose; to allocate. +

(figurative, finance) To designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.

(figurative, finance, UK) To designate (part of a pension) to be payable to the holder's former spouse or payment when the pension is paid.

(figurative, finance, US, politics) Of the Congress: to designate that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.