al·low·ance
ə-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s 
1
a
: a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty or for expenses
a salary that includes a cost-of-living allowance
especially
: a sum regularly provided for personal or household expenses
Each child receives a weekly allowance.
b
: a fixed or available amount
provide an allowance of time for recreation
c
: a share or portion allotted or granted
d
: a reduction from a list price or stated price
a trade-in allowance
2
: the act of regarding bad behavior or a mistake as less serious or bad because of some special circumstance
Some allowance should be made for her inexperience.
The plan makes no allowance for bad weather.
3
: the act of allowing something : permission
4
: an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a machine
5
: an imposed handicap (as in a horse race)
allowanced; allowancing
1
archaic
: to put on a fixed allowance (as of food and drink)
2
archaic
: to supply in a fixed or regular quantity
Synonyms
Examples of allowance in a Sentence
Noun
a monthly allowance for household expenses
Each of their children gets a weekly allowance of five dollars.
the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C
the tax allowance for married couples
They performed poorly, but allowances should be made for their inexperience.
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
And the employment allowance – a relief on a businesses national insurance bill – will rise to £10,500.
—Marc Shoffman, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 30 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for allowance 
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Noun
This was primarily due to a decrease in loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
And the employment allowance – a relief on a businesses national insurance bill – will rise to £10,500.
—Marc Shoffman, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
Saladino recommends adding in foods by increasing your macros allowance a little bit at a time.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 30 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for allowance
Dictionary Entries Near allowance
Cite this Entry
“Allowance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allowance. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
allowance
noun
al·low·ance
ə-ˈlau̇-əns
1
: an allotted share: as
a
: a sum granted as a reimbursement or payment for expenses
an allowance to support the deceased's family
deduction for a moving allowance
b
: a sum granted as a reduction or increase
an allowance for depreciation
2
: an act of allowing
allowance of a deduction
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