allow for

phrasal verb

allowed for; allowing for; allows for

: to think about or plan for (something that will or might happen in the future)

When purchasing property, the company should allow for possible future growth/expansion.

: to consider (something) when one makes a calculation

The total distance, allowing for detours, is about 10 miles.

If you allow for inflation, he's actually earning less money now than he was 10 years ago.

: to make (something) possible

The design of the system allows for easy upgrades.

Examples of allow for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The arrests come amid a fight over a new Chicago police mass arrest policy revealed in February that critics say would allow for stronger crackdowns on protesters. —

USA TODAY, 15 May 2024 Lightweight containers are popular for rooftop terraces or balconies and allow for very large sizes without the cumbersome weight. —

Suzanne S. Brown, The Denver Post, 14 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for allow for

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'allow for.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.