earmarks

Everyday

1. (US politics) money in a budget set aside for a politician's favourite local projects, often criticised as waste. tree →
2. (verb) to set aside money or something for a purpose. tree →
3. (literal) a mark on an animal's ear. tree →

In the lessons

In US politics «earmarks» is a softer word for «pork» — spending to win votes; also the everyday verb «earmark»; farming sense in history. US mainly.

Examples

• The bill was full of earmarks for local bridges and museums. tree →
• The school earmarked 500 dollars for new books. tree →
• Critics call earmarks a waste of tax money. tree →
• The council earmarked the field for a new park. tree →
• Farmers once put earmarks on sheep to show the owner. tree →
• The senator defended his earmarks. tree →

Note

Often just «set aside». In US politics, «earmarks» can hint at wasteful spending.