deallocations
|di-æl-ə-keɪ-ʃənz|
🇺🇸
/diˌæləˈkeɪʃənz/
🇬🇧
/diˌæləˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz/
(deallocation)
freeing allocated resources
Etymology
'deallocation' originates from Latin elements 'de-' and 'allocatio', specifically from Latin 'allocatio' (from 'allocare'), where 'de-' meant 'off, away' and 'allocare' meant 'to place or allot'.
'allocare' (Latin) developed into Old French forms (e.g. 'alouer'/'allouer') and then into Middle/Modern English as 'allocate'/'allocation'. 'Deallocation' is a modern English formation (de- + allocation), becoming more common in the 20th century, especially in computing contexts.
Initially it simply meant the reversal or removal of an allocation; over time the term has been adopted particularly in computing to refer specifically to freeing memory or other system resources.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'deallocation'. Acts or instances of deallocating: the process of freeing previously allocated resources (especially memory in computing).
After the program terminated unexpectedly, several deallocations failed and a memory leak occurred.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
instances of removing or rescinding prior allocations of nontechnical resources (e.g., budget items, personnel, or space).
The audit resulted in several deallocations of project funds after cost overruns were discovered.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/26 20:44