[+ obj] 1 a : to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable ▪ a religion that does not allow divorce ▪ They don't allow smoking in this hotel. ▪ I want to change my schedule, but my boss won't allow it. b : to permit (someone) to have or do something ▪ He allowed her to leave. [=he let her leave] ▪ My boss wouldn't allow me to change my schedule. ▪ They don't allow people to smoke in this hotel. ▪ He allows himself (to have) many luxuries. —used in the phrase allow me to make a polite offer to help someone ▪ Allow me to get/open the door for you. ▪ If you're going to remodel your kitchen, allow me to offer a few suggestions. c : to permit (someone) to go or come in, out, etc. ▪ Women were not allowed in/into the club. ▪ The hospital doesn't allow visitors after 8 p.m. ▪ Those children are too young to be allowed (to go) out at night.
2 a : to make it possible for someone or something to have or do something ▪ Her experience allows her to handle difficult situations easily. [=she can handle difficult situations easily because of her experience] ▪ Her schedule doesn't allow her any time to run errands. ▪ The system allows you to transfer data easily from one computer to another. b : to make it possible for something to happen ▪ Occasional gaps allow passage through the mountains. ▪ a password that allows access to the system ▪ The system allows the easy transfer of data from one computer to another. = The system allows data to be transferred easily from one computer to another. c : to fail to prevent something or someone from being, becoming, or doing something ▪ They allowed the garden to become overgrown with weeds. ▪ These conditions should never have been allowed to develop. ▪ I was surprised to see that she had allowed herself to become so fat. [=that she had become so fat]
3 : to include (a quantity of time, money, etc.) as an appropriate amount ▪ When you're planning your day you should allow an hour for lunch. ▪ Their parents allowed five dollars for each child as spending money. ▪ We need to allow (ourselves) enough time to get the job done properly.
4 a : to accept (something) ▪ The judge decided to allow the evidence. b : to admit (something) ▪ His job played a more important part in his life than his biographer allows. —usually + that or (US, informal) as how ▪ She allowed that the work was hard. = She allowed as how the work was hard. [=she admitted that the work was hard]
5 sports : to let an opposing team or player have or score (a goal, a hit, etc.) ▪ The pitcher allowed five hits and three runs in the first two innings. ▪ allow a goal ▪ The defense has not allowed a touchdown in the past three games.