Main Entry:

¹al·low·ance

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Date:

14th century

1 a: a share or portion allotted or granted b: a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty or for expenses <salary includes cost-of-living allowance> ; especially : a sum regularly provided for personal or household expenses <each child has an allowance> c: a fixed or available amount <provide an allowance of time for recreation> d: a reduction from a list price or stated price <a trade-in allowance>2: an imposed handicap (as in a horse race)3: an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a machine4: the act of allowing : permission5: a taking into account of mitigating circumstances or contingencies <the plan makes no allowance for bad weather>