allow for

phrasal verb

allowed for; allowing for; allows for

: 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.

: 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.

: 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 right technology platform should be at the center of your ecosystem enablement strategy and allow for multiple points of connection and integrations that can meet the unique needs of your partners and evolve as your business and partner needs change. —

Paul Tibbitt, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 Maricopa County's top prosecutor wants lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow for harsher punishments of people involved in gang-style beatings. —

Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2024 The bike's gas tank has a pair of bars attached to it that don't allow for any upward movement, but are free to move side to side. —

New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2024 Documentaries bring critical in-depth perspectives that allow for nuance, context and reflection. —

Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allow for

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'allow for.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.