A federal budgetary term that refers to the specific designation by Congress that part of a more general lump-sum appropriation be used for a particular project; the earmark can be designated as a minimum and/or maximum dollar amount
To set aside funds for a specific purpose, use, or recipient Generally speaking, virtually every appropriation is earmarked, and so are certain revenue sources credited to trust funds In common usage, however, the term is often applied as an epithet for funds set aside for such purposes as research projects, demonstration projects, parks, laboratories, academic grants, and contracts in particular congressional districts or states or for certain specified universities or other organizations
If resources such as money are earmarked for a particular purpose, they are reserved for that purpose. the extra money being earmarked for the new projects The education department has earmarked £6m for the new school Some of the money has been earmarked to pay for the re-settlement of people from contaminated areas. = set aside
If something has been earmarked for closure or disposal, for example, people have decided that it will be closed or got rid of. Their support meant that he was not forced to sell the business which was earmarked for disposal last year. to decide that something will be used for a particular purpose or have something done to it in the future earmark sb/sth for sth