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

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The strategist has a year-end 2025 base case target for the S&P 500 of 6,500, allowing for gains in the mid-single digits next year. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024 Developed in collaboration with leading scientists, this system integrates over 50 data layers, allowing for comprehensive monitoring and reporting across a project’s lifecycle. Jamie Hailstone, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 The new policy allows for a nuclear response even to conventional attacks by countries supported by nuclear-armed states. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 Storage volume, with the second row and optional third both folded down, totals up to 114.3 cubic feet, allowing for plenty of room for gear in addition to a perfectly flat sleeping platform. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allow for 

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Cite this Entry

“Allow for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allow%20for. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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