Definition of allow
transitive verb
1a : permit doesn't allow people to smoke in his homeb : to fail to restrain or prevent allow the dog to roam
2a : to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) allow an hour for lunchb : to reckon as a deduction or an addition allow a gallon for leakage
3 : admit, concede must allow that money causes problems in marriage
4a chiefly Southern US and Midland US : to be of the opinion : thinkb dialect : say, statec : to express an opinion —usually used with as how or that
intransitive verb
1 : to make a possibility : admit —used with of evidence that allows of only one conclusion
2 : to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies —used with for a plan that allows for expansion
From the M-W Editors
Examples of allow in a Sentence
a religion that does not allow divorce
They don't allow smoking in this hotel.
I want to change my schedule, but my boss won't allow it.
My boss wouldn't allow me to change my schedule.
They don't allow people to smoke in this hotel.
Women were not allowed in the club.
The hospital doesn't allow visitors after 8 p.m.
Her schedule doesn't allow her any time to run errands.
The system allows you to transfer data easily from one computer to another.
Occasional gaps allow passage through the mountains.
Recent Examples of allow from the Web
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Authorities are worried that the sale is designed to allow Ham to skip out on paying a safety tax owed to nearby Williamstown, according to a story in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
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Boris & Horton will allow any dog to enter its premises, and will provide a hearty mix of drink and food options for humans and various treats for the pups.
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That means they are technically not allowed to set foot on U.S. soil, customs officials said.
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Four months simply does not allow for careful consideration of a significant and complex matter.
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The sun’s energy in some cases can heat molten salt to 490 degrees Celsius (914 degrees Fahrenheit), which allows operators to predict when electricity will flow.
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There are laws in place that allow them to require a new driver's exam when there's a question of safety.
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In another ordinance amendment, the city council moved to allow Pentwater residents to use golf carts on the interior roads in the subdivision.
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Shaving walnuts on a Microplane allows Centeno to shade pristine baby carrots with a pesto made from their tops.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of allow
Middle English, from Anglo-French aluer, alouer to place, apportion, allow, from Middle French allocare — more at allocate
ALLOW Defined for English Language Learners
allow
playDefinition of allow for English Language Learners
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: to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable
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: to permit (someone) to have or do something
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: to permit (someone) to go or come in, out, etc.
ALLOW Defined for Kids
allow
playDefinition of allow for Students
allowed
;allowing
1 : to give permission to Mom allowed us to stay up late.
2 : to fail to prevent Don't allow the dog to roam.
3 : to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) Our parents allowed us each five dollars to spend.
4 : to accept as true : concede I'm willing to allow that he may be right.
5 : to consider when making a decision or a calculation Our plans didn't allow for the possibility of rain.
6 : to make it possible to have or do something Your shoes should be big enough to allow for growth.
Law Dictionary
allow
playLegal Definition of allow
: to give approval of or permission for: as a : to grant fulfillment of allowed her petition for relief b : to decide in favor of allow a deduction on a tax return c : to permit to be presented allows his claim more jurisdictions will allow the cause of action
allowability
\ə-ˌlau̇-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ nounLearn More about allow
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See words that rhyme with allow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for allow Spanish Central: Translation of allow Nglish: Translation of allow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of allow for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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