allowance

noun

al·low·ance | \ ə-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s

Definition of allowance

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a share or portion allotted or granted

b : 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.

c : a fixed or available amount provide an allowance of time for recreation

d : a reduction from a list price or stated price a trade-in allowance

2 : an imposed handicap (as in a horse race)

3 : an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a machine

4 : the act of allowing something : permission

5 : 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.

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 Learn More about allowance

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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

Like the allowances for widows in 2014, many of the changes did nothing to protect the thousands of homeowners who already had paid millions to the lenders who wrote their loans. — USA Today, "Seniors were sold a risk-free retirement with reverse mortgages. Now they face foreclosure.," 12 June 2019 Senate Bill 1558, which passed with bipartisan support during last-minute budget negotiations last month, would have increased the daily allowance for rural lawmakers to about $185 a day. — Maria Polletta, azcentral, "Ducey slaps down lawmakers' effort to triple daily allowances," 7 June 2019 In-season housing allowance, worth perhaps $15,000, and medical coverage are not included in salary figures. — David Woods, Indianapolis Star, "WNBA players risk injury overseas, but they'll keep playing in those leagues," 7 June 2019 Seventy-eight percent of Republicans, 72% of men, and 69% of gun owners support such an allowance. — Grace Sparks, CNN, "Half of Texans support stricter gun laws in the US," 1 June 2018 Relations between the two main actors in the post-Chernobyl drama, the Western funding agencies and the Ukrainian government, were not unlike those in a family with a teenager who promises not to behave dangerously if given an ever larger allowance. — Serhii Plokhy, Time, "The True Cost of the Chernobyl Disaster Has Been Greater Than It Seems," 26 Apr. 2018 Caregivers who are involved with DCYF are eligible for kinship support funds — a mostly one-time payment for rent, utilities and bedding, as well as a one-time clothing allowance of up to $200. — Marcus Harrison Green, The Seattle Times, "Grandparents raising grandkids say they need more help from Washington state," 28 Dec. 2018 While Pippa doesn't have a wardrobe allowance like Kate does, her closet is still highly curated. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "5 Shoe Brands Pippa Middleton Can't Stop Wearing—and Where to Shop Them," 20 Aug. 2018 Trained by Stephen Casey, Rockinn On Bye's previous victory came Nov. 1, 2015 in a starter allowance at Laurel. — baltimoresun.com, "Digest (June 2): Brigade beat by Albany Empire, 61-53," 2 June 2018

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.