Definition of allowance
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty or for expenses
a salary that includes a cost-of-living allowance
especially
: a sum regularly provided for personal or household expenses
Each child receives a weekly allowance.
b
: a fixed or available amount
provide an allowance of time for recreation
c
: a share or portion allotted or granted
d
: a reduction from a list price or stated price
a trade-in allowance
2
: the act of regarding bad behavior or a mistake as less serious or bad because of some special circumstance
Some allowance should be made for her inexperience. The plan makes no allowance for bad weather.
3
: the act of allowing something : permission
4
: an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a machine
5
: an imposed handicap (as in a horse race)
allowance
verb
allowanced; allowancing
Definition of allowance (Entry 2 of 2)
1
archaic
: to put on a fixed allowance (as of food and drink)
2
archaic
: to supply in a fixed or regular quantity
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share allowance
Time Traveler for allowance
The first known use of allowance was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century