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

Reiner, the third of Rob Reiner's four children, is now receiving the kind of publicly funded legal representation allotted to defendants who cannot pay their own fees.

From BBC

I opted for a $100 annual plan that allots me two terabytes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under gargantuan pressure, she clinched the sole Olympic women’s figure skating berth allotted to Russia to compete as an Individual Neutral Athlete.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Without a robust and urgent roadmap, there is a real risk this inquiry will not be able to fulfil its statutory objectives in the allotted time," she warned.

From BBC

In the lab, each person attempted to solve a series of brain teaser puzzles, with three minutes allotted per puzzle.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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