1. to set aside or reserve (money, resources, etc.) for a specific purpose
2. to mark or identify as being intended for a particular use or person

1. a mark on the ear of an animal (such as livestock) for identification
Usage: chiefly agricultural
2. a distinctive feature or characteristic that identifies something

Examples

• The government earmarked $5 million for education reform.
• These funds have been earmarked for emergency repairs.
• The farmer used an earmark to identify his sheep.
• Attention to detail is an earmark of good craftsmanship.
• The budget earmarks resources for three major projects.
• That behavior is an earmark of someone under stress.