earmark

[ eer-mahrk ]

/ ˈɪərˌmɑrk /

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See synonyms for: earmark / earmarked / earmarking 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.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of earmark

First recorded in 1515–25; ear¹ + mark¹

OTHER WORDS FROM earmark

un·ear·marked, adjective

Words nearby earmark

early to bed, early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise), early-type star, early warning, early-warning system, early wood, earmark, ear-minded, earmuff, earn, earned income, earned run

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use earmark in a sentence

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is being targeted for the largest collective earmark request in the country, according to a detailed breakdown of overall requests released by the House Appropriations Committee.
Dallas blows out the rest of the country in earmark requests|Lachlan Markay|May 14, 2021|Axios
A decade ago, Republicans vehemently opposed a stimulus package from a Democratic president, won an election by making it a focal point and then banned earmarks partly in the name of instituting fiscal responsibility.
The GOP’s earmarks evolution says a lot about its Trumpian turn|Aaron Blake|March 18, 2021|Washington Post
Although earmarks might sit untouched, money sometimes can be used for its original purpose.
As Democrats bring back earmarks for transportation projects, billions of dollars from years ago sits unused|Ian Duncan|March 3, 2021|Washington Post
Congress recognized the problem in 2015, passing a provision that allows dormant earmarks more than a decade old to be reused on other nearby projects.
As Democrats bring back earmarks for transportation projects, billions of dollars from years ago sits unused|Ian Duncan|March 3, 2021|Washington Post

Last week, before Democrats had confirmed their plans, state officials gathered virtually to discuss the return of earmarks.
As Democrats bring back earmarks for transportation projects, billions of dollars from years ago sits unused|Ian Duncan|March 3, 2021|Washington Post
Despite the anti-earmark rhetoric in Congress, John Boehner still misses them.
9 Revelations From Robert Draper’s ‘Do Not Ask What Good We Do’|Ben Jacobs|April 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If those things can be done, I'd happily reward every member of Congress with an earmark of his or her very own.
Why I Am Not A Deficit Hawk|David Frum|April 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Does the Tea Party class know that the earmark-ban game is already over?
The Tea Party's Whiny Takeover|John Batchelor|November 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
If earmark reform was something that the public understood well enough to hunger for, John McCain would be our president.
Obama's Most Blatant Hypocrisy|Nicolle Wallace|March 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
That sense of humor does not lessen but it lightens the gallantry and chivalry which is the earmark of Westerners.
The Native Son|Inez Haynes Irwin
Every earmark showed that, from the delicate scent of the paper, to the fine, even handwriting.
The Honorable Peter Stirling and What People Thought of Him|Paul Leicester Ford
That little trick, for example, of beginning sentences with the word “also,” is a familiar earmark of the Kipling school.
The Life of Bret Harte|Henry Childs Merwin
These minor obligations do not earmark more than an hour in the day.
First and Last Things|H. G. Wells
It wont do, she averred, but Mr. Denby has every earmark of it.
Under Cover|Roi Cooper Megrue

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

earmark

Origin of earmark

OTHER WORDS FROM earmark

Words nearby earmark

Words related to earmark

How to use earmark in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for earmark