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
Lucey said Opera San Jose founder Irene Dalis’ solution was to have two casts for each show, but today’s budgets just don’t allow for that.
—
Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers elected to intentionally walk Schmitt to load the bases – thus allowing for a force at any base – for Patrick Bailey.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The large acceptance of CLAS12 allowed for a comprehensive measurement across the entire resonance region in a single experiment.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Was a waiver granted to allow for the transfer?
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow for
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Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers elected to intentionally walk Schmitt to load the bases – thus allowing for a force at any base – for Patrick Bailey.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The large acceptance of CLAS12 allowed for a comprehensive measurement across the entire resonance region in a single experiment.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Was a waiver granted to allow for the transfer?
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
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 18 Sep. 2025.
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