1.an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period);
travel allowance
2.a sum granted as reimbursement for expenses
3.an amount added or deducted on the basis of qualifying circumstances;
an allowance for profit
4.a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits
5.a reserve fund created by a charge against profits in order to provide for changes in the value of a company's assets
6.the act of allowing;
He objected to the allowance of smoking in the diningroom
1.put on a fixed allowance, as of food