allowance

noun

al·low·ance | \ ə-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s

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)

transitive verb

1 archaic : to put on a fixed allowance (as of food and drink)

2 archaic : to supply in a fixed or regular quantity

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing allowance Learn More About allowance

Examples of allowance in a Sentence

Noun a monthly allowance for household expenses Each of their children gets a weekly allowance of five dollars. the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C the tax allowance for married couples They performed poorly, but allowances should be made for their inexperience.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The company provides a lifetime allowance of $10,000 per employees (or their dependents) per service. — Clare Duffy And Jennifer Korn, CNN, 24 June 2022 But evolution doesn’t make allowance for graceful exits. — Peter Brannen, The Atlantic, 22 June 2022 In lieu of her income from these properties, which was what paid for all her household expenses, Edward granted her an allowance. — Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022 Per the filing, Barker will receive an annual base salary of $2.4 million and a $600,000 annual stock option allowance under Netflix’s stock option program. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 June 2022 The players got health insurance, and a housing allowance while in residency with the team. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 13 June 2022 In addition, Reveno was given a relocation allowance of $15,000 and Shelton $7,500. — oregonlive, 13 June 2022 Employees can choose to receive that allowance in one payment or can send it to a retirement plan. — Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2022 The current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. — Nikhita Mahtani, SELF, 7 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allowance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for allowance

Noun

Middle English allowaunce, allouance "commendation, confirmation (of a privilege), allocation of funds," borrowed from Anglo-French alouance, allowance "admission as legally valid, allocation, payment," from aluer, aloer "to place, allot, accept as legally valid" + -ance -ance — more at allow

Verb

derivative of allowance entry 1