allotted; allotting
Synonyms of allot

transitive verb

1
: to assign as a share or portion
allot 10 minutes for the speech
2
: to distribute by or as if by lot
allot seats to the press
allotter noun

Examples of allot in a Sentence

Each speaker will be allotted 15 minutes. The newspaper will allot a full page to each of the three mayoral candidates.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Or the money is being allotted to different charitable organizations. — Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026 The daylong program would be divided into ten-minute segments, with one lighting cue and one sound cue allotted for each. — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 The Pirates, Meyer said, do not spend all the money they are allotted to sign draft picks. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 The research and design process for the makeup was allotted 18 months prior to principal photography, so Dunckley had the opportunity to get the execution down to a science. — Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for allot

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alotten, borrowed from Anglo-French aloter, from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -loter, verbal derivative of lot "lot, portion, share," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *hlota-, going back to Germanic *hluta- — more at lot entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of allot was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Allot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allot. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

allotted; allotting
: to assign as a share or portion
allot 10 minutes for the speech
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