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
That allows for a singleton honor over the jack, as well as king-queen doubleton in either hand -- four cases.
—
Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Two-way contracts, which pay half the NBA rookie minimum and do not count toward the salary cap or luxury tax, allow for players to be on their NBA team’s active list for as many as 50 regular-season games with other game action having to come in the G League.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow for extra time, and stay informed on the latest road and weather conditions.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Add to that a powerful lithium-ion battery, allowing for ten hours of uninterrupted stargazing.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow for
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Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Two-way contracts, which pay half the NBA rookie minimum and do not count toward the salary cap or luxury tax, allow for players to be on their NBA team’s active list for as many as 50 regular-season games with other game action having to come in the G League.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow for extra time, and stay informed on the latest road and weather conditions.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Add to that a powerful lithium-ion battery, allowing for ten hours of uninterrupted stargazing.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow for
Cite this Entry
“Allow for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allow%20for. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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