allowance

(ə-louˈəns)

1. The act of allowing.
2. An amount that is allowed or granted: consumed my weekly allowance of two eggs.
3. Something, such as money, given at regular intervals or for a specific purpose: a travel allowance that covers hotel bills.
4. A price reduction, especially one granted in exchange for used merchandise: The dealer gave us an allowance on our old car.
5. A consideration for possibilities or modifying circumstances: an allowance for breakage; made allowances for rush-hour traffic in estimating travel time.
6. An allowed difference in dimension of closely mating machine parts.

1. To put on a fixed allowance: cut expenses by strictly allowancing the sales representatives.
2. To dispense in fixed quantities; ration.