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
Now, nearly 20 years later, there is talk of the league extending the season to allow for even more overseas games.
—
Tom Chitty, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
This would drive down cost and allow for more innovation.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Beerman plans on releasing full designs files under the Open Community License a year after all Kickstarter orders have been dispatched to allow for open access to the right to repair.
—New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
Celebrate with an activity that allows for big release of energies, something athletic or competitive; a sedentary pleasure could lead to discord.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow for
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Tom Chitty, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
This would drive down cost and allow for more innovation.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Beerman plans on releasing full designs files under the Open Community License a year after all Kickstarter orders have been dispatched to allow for open access to the right to repair.
—New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
Celebrate with an activity that allows for big release of energies, something athletic or competitive; a sedentary pleasure could lead to discord.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 14 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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