earmark

[ eer-mahrk ]
/ ˈɪərˌmɑrk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR earmark ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic: The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.
a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.
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. Compare pork barrel.

verb (used with object)

to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc.: to earmark goods for export.
to mark with an earmark.

Origin of earmark

First recorded in 1515–25; ear1 + mark1

OTHER WORDS FROM earmark

un·ear·marked, adjective

Words nearby earmark

early warning, early warning system, early wood, early-type star, early-warning system, earmark, earmuff, earn, earn one's keep, earn one's stripes, earned income

Words related to earmark

allocate, designate, hallmark, stamp, attribute, trademark, feature, label, peculiarity, token, tag, trait, distinction, quality, marking, differential, slot, name, maintain, tab

Example sentences from the Web for earmark

British Dictionary definitions for earmark

earmark
/ (ˈɪəˌmɑːk) /

verb (tr)

to set aside or mark out for a specific purpose
to make an identification mark on the ear of (a domestic animal)

noun

a mark of identification on the ear of a domestic animal
any distinguishing mark or characteristic