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 machine
4 : the act of allowing : permission
5 : a taking into account of mitigating circumstances or contingencies <the plan makes no allowance for bad weather>