/ ˈɪəmɑːk; NAmE ˈɪrmɑːrk/ verb , noun
■ verb
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] earmark sb/sth (for / as sb/sth) to decide that sth will be used for a particular purpose, or to state that sth will happen to sb/sth in the future :
The money had been earmarked for spending on new school buildings.
The factory has been earmarked for closure.
She was earmarked early as a possible champion.
■ noun
[ usually pl. ] ( NAmE ) a feature or quality that is typical of sb/sth :
The incident has all the earmarks of a terrorist attack.