allot

verb

al·​lot ə-ˈlät How to pronounce allot (audio)
allotted; allotting
Synonyms of allot

transitive verb

1
: to assign as a share or portion
allot 10 minutes for the speech
2
: to distribute by or as if by lot
allot seats to the press
allotter noun

Synonyms of allot

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Examples of allot in a Sentence

Each speaker will be allotted 15 minutes. The newspaper will allot a full page to each of the three mayoral candidates.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aldridge was only allotted 15 minutes with the famous singer, and was inspired by old photo booth pictures of Warhol. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Insider tip If your schedule permits, allot at least two days here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 Hinson said the bill’s reductions to Medicaid spending for Iowa will be offset by the Rural Health Transformation Program, which allots $50 billion divided among all 50 states over the next five years. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026 Edmonton has allotted $37 million to its top three players, which ranks second in hockey. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for allot

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alotten, borrowed from Anglo-French aloter, from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -loter, verbal derivative of lot "lot, portion, share," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *hlota-, going back to Germanic *hluta- — more at lot entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of allot was in the 15th century

Rhymes for allot

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Browse Nearby Words

allosyndesis
allot
allotee
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Cite this Entry

“Allot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allot. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

allot

verb
al·​lot ə-ˈlät How to pronounce allot (audio)
allotted; allotting
: to assign as a share or portion
allot 10 minutes for the speech
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