Verb
1. make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen;
"This permits the water to rush in""This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement""This will permit the rain to run off"2. consent to, give permission;
"She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband""I won't let the police search her basement""I cannot allow you to see your exam"3. let have;
"grant permission""Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison"4. give or assign a share of money or time to a particular person or cause;
"I will earmark this money for your research"5. make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain;
"This leaves no room for improvement""The evidence allows only one conclusion""allow for mistakes""leave lots of time for the trip""This procedure provides for lots of leeway"6. allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something;
"I allow for this possibility""The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash"7. afford possibility;
"This problem admits of no solution""This short story allows of several different interpretations"8. allow the other (baseball) team to score;
"give up a run"9. grant as a discount or in exchange;
"The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera"10. allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting;
"We don't allow dogs here""Children are not permitted beyond this point""We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital"