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
The pact with Washington, Oregon and four Native American tribes had allowed for a pause in the litigation.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Congress passed the country's first major crypto legislation, establishing rules for a growing area of crypto called stablecoins — digital currencies that allow for almost instantaneous transfers between parties anywhere in the world.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
This allows for proper airflow underneath the unit, something that generally can’t happen if the space heater is placed on a soft surface, like a rug.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
The bold typography allows for time to be easily read while still maintaining a clean, elegant aesthetic.
—John Monaco, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow for
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Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Congress passed the country's first major crypto legislation, establishing rules for a growing area of crypto called stablecoins — digital currencies that allow for almost instantaneous transfers between parties anywhere in the world.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
This allows for proper airflow underneath the unit, something that generally can’t happen if the space heater is placed on a soft surface, like a rug.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
The bold typography allows for time to be easily read while still maintaining a clean, elegant aesthetic.
—John Monaco, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
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 11 Feb. 2026.
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