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

Explanation

When you allot something, you are giving out portions: “Becky was able to allot five snacks per employee, but in the afternoon some workers sneaked back into the break room for more.” Be careful not to mistake allot for “a lot” (a large number), which has a similar spelling and the same pronunciation. Use the verb allot when you need to describe the act of assigning portions of something — be it snacks, time, or blame. The word is often used in the sense of an official group, such as a government or a corporation, dividing up and distributing small portions of something desirable, such as funding, shares, or land: “Zenitech Corporation was able to allot land rights to four groups in the area.”

Example Sentences

The ladies agree to allot 20 minutes to grousing about their aches and pains, and then they have to move on to some appointed discussion topic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Passive indexes that allot the greatest influence to the biggest companies do nothing to aid in capital allocation for the broader economy, he said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

On Tuesday, Drakeford will allot money for government departments for 2026-27.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2025

In 1965, La Cañada’s men waited for the annual arrival of Mexican government officials to allot the bracero slots.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025

The government wouldn’t allot valuable rations to a dead woman.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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