allowance allowance /əˈlaʊəns/

noun

1. () An amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)  ( allowance )
   an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
    Travel allowance
   travel allowance
    My weekly allowance of two eggs
   my weekly allowance of two eggs
    A child's allowance should not be too generous
   a child's allowance should not be too generous
   
2. () A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits  ( leeway , margin , tolerance , allowance )
   a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits
   
3. () An amount added or deducted on the basis of qualifying circumstances  ( adjustment , allowance )
   an amount added or deducted on the basis of qualifying circumstances
    An allowance for profit
   an allowance for profit
   
4. () A sum granted as reimbursement for expenses  ( allowance )
   a sum granted as reimbursement for expenses
   
5. The act of allowing  ( allowance )
   the act of allowing
    He objected to the allowance of smoking in the dining room
   He objected to the allowance of smoking in the dining room
   
6. A reserve fund created by a charge against profits in order to provide for changes in the value of a company's assets  ( allowance , allowance account , valuation account , valuation reserve )
   a reserve fund created by a charge against profits in order to provide for changes in the value of a company's assets
   

verb

1. Put on a fixed allowance, as of food  ( allowance )
   put on a fixed allowance, as of food