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
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The nearby Hollywood reservoir allowed for frequent trips, a firefighter said. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 If approved, the settlement would allow for tens of millions of Apple customers who owned devices from September 17, 2014, through December 31, 2024, to file claims. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 9 Jan. 2025 High-quality data allows for precise audience targeting, ensuring that your ad dollars are spent effectively. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 Still, no matter how luxe the rugs appear at first glance, their functionality allows for low-maintenance upkeep—thus, more time for admiration. Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for allow for 

Dictionary Entries Near allow for

Cite this Entry

“Allow for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allow%20for. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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