ear·mark
ˈir-ˌmärk 
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
earmarked; earmarking; earmarks
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
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
More than 110 community colleges across the nation will receive about $170 million through earmarks.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
With $85 billion in new funding — and around $45 billion specifically earmarked for immigration detention — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is swiftly leasing warehouses and retrofitting them for detention.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for earmark
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Noun
Millions in earmark rewards for legislators suddenly appear hours before the budget debate begins.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
More than 110 community colleges across the nation will receive about $170 million through earmarks.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The coalition earlier this month circulated a petition urging lawmakers to get the critical funding again earmarked for KCK by removing that budget term.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
With $85 billion in new funding — and around $45 billion specifically earmarked for immigration detention — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is swiftly leasing warehouses and retrofitting them for detention.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for earmark
Cite this Entry
“Earmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earmark. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earmark
1 of 2 noun
ear·mark
ˈi(ə)r-ˌmärk
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 verb1
: to mark with or as if with an earmark
2
: to set aside for a special purpose
money earmarked for a vacation
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