allot

verb

al·​lot ə-ˈlät 

allotted; allotting

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

• allocate
• allow
• apportion
• assign
• distribute
• lot
• ration

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

Three words with similar meanings neatly fit the definition, and the spaces allotted, for [Aboveboard]. —Sam Corbin, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025

Each eligible graduate will be allotted seven guest tickets to their specific commencement ceremony, according to Sacramento State. —Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Jan. 2025

Follow the money: So far, City Council has allotted up to $7 million toward all of the costs related to the cyberattack's aftermath. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 27 Jan. 2025

The budget submitted by the Lai administration in August marked a defense budget increase of just 2.45 percent, down from the 2.5 percent allotted last year. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

allot

verb

al·​lot ə-ˈlät 

allotted; allotting

: to assign as a share or portion

allot 10 minutes for the speech