An amount that is allowed or granted: consumed my weekly allowance of two eggs.
Something, such as money, given at regular intervals or for a specific purpose: a travel allowance that covers hotel bills.
A price reduction, especially one granted in exchange for used merchandise: The dealer gave us an allowance on our old car.
A consideration for possibilities or modifying circumstances: an allowance for breakage; made allowances for rush-hour traffic in estimating travel time.
An allowed difference in dimension of closely mating machine parts.
transitive verb: -anced, -anc·ing, -anc·es.
To put on a fixed allowance: cut expenses by strictly allowancing the sales representatives.
To dispense in fixed quantities; ration.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition