allow for

phrasal verb

allowed for; allowing for; allows for

1

: 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.

2

: 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.

3

: 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

Annie Weisman, the showrunner for Season 2, said that putting podcasters at the center of the show allowed for liberties in the storytelling. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 14 May 2024

Reduced delays: elimination of full stops allows for smoother traffic flow. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2024

The model eliminates lag in response time and allows for user interruption. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 May 2024

Cheap, off-the-shelf products are available online that allow for this kind of interception-and-duplication hacking scheme. —Lucas Ropek / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 May 2024

This supportive pair is designed with footbeds made from yoga mats for truly unparalleled comfort, while the adjustable straps allow for the perfect fit every time. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024

In October, the city council passed an ordinance which allowed for a special zoning exception. —Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 10 May 2024