allot

American  

[uh-lot] / əˈlɒt /

verb (used with object)

allotted, allotting

1. to divide or distribute by share or portion; distribute or parcel out; apportion.

   to allot the available farmland among the settlers.

2. to appropriate for a special purpose.

   to allot money for a park.

3. to assign as a portion; set apart; dedicate.

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allot British  

/ əˈlɒt /

verb

1. to assign or distribute (shares, etc)

2. to designate for a particular purpose

   money was allotted to cover expenses

3. (foll by to) apportion

   we allotted two hours to the case

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Related Words

See assign.

Other Word Forms

• allottable adjective
• allotter noun
• misallot verb (used with object)
• preallot verb (used with object)
• reallot verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of allot

First recorded in 1425–75; earlier alot, late Middle English alotten, from Middle French aloter, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + lot lot (from Germanic ) + -er infinitive suffix

Compare meaning

How does allot compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• allot vs. a lot

Example Sentences

The time they’d allotted for him to get his files had probably run out.

From Literature

He allotted ongoing funding, for example, to pay for community schools, which offer various nonacademic services to students and their families.

From Los Angeles Times

The city found the $12 million allotted for that was not being fully drawn down this year.

From Los Angeles Times

To make her own job as a teacher sustainable, she follows strict rules about allotting time to read student work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Concern is growing among supporters of the bill that it won't pass all its parliamentary hurdles in the allotted days.

From BBC

Related Words

• allocate
• appoint
• apportion
• appropriate
• assign
• designate
• distribute
• earmark
• set aside