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
Block’s revenue growth in recent years has largely been driven by the continuous expansion of its Square ecosystem, which provides payment processing and software solutions for sellers, and its Cash App platform, allowing for peer-to-peer payments and financial services for users.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Continental football has been played a fraction slower than that in the Premier League, allowing for a gentler learning curve as this team attempts to build and grow together.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 9 May 2025
The plan came with a caveat: The escalation will reportedly not start until the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tour of the region next week, allowing for the possibility of a new hostage deal.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
The software ecosystem allows for quick creation of 3D apps using Unity templates, and content can be managed just like any other iOS application, streamlining updates and deployment.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow for
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Continental football has been played a fraction slower than that in the Premier League, allowing for a gentler learning curve as this team attempts to build and grow together.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 9 May 2025
The plan came with a caveat: The escalation will reportedly not start until the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tour of the region next week, allowing for the possibility of a new hostage deal.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
The software ecosystem allows for quick creation of 3D apps using Unity templates, and content can be managed just like any other iOS application, streamlining updates and deployment.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 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 15 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share