allotment

noun

al·​lot·​ment ə-ˈlät-mənt How to pronounce allotment (audio)
Synonyms of allotmentnext
1
: the act of allotting something : apportionment
The allotment of a full page in the newspaper to each candidate is fair.
2
: something that is allotted
an allotment of time
especially, chiefly British : a plot of land let to an individual for cultivation

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of allotment in a Sentence

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.
Some research suggests that adhering to certain patterns — such as spacing your weekly allotment of drinks out over a few days and consuming them with a meal — may be beneficial. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025 The 2024 tournament generated more than $1 billion in sales over the course of 67 games, an estimate that does not factor in any make-good allotments that were deducted from the gross sales tally. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Adrián Morejón’s $11 million bonus set a franchise record for an amateur and blew the organization past its tax-free allotment. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025 Carolina, who failed to spend their full allotment last year and who has barely even participated in the bidding to this point. — Todd Boss, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allotment

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French alotement, from aloter "to allot" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of allotment was circa 1530

Browse Nearby Words

allothogenic
allotment
allotopotype
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allotment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allotment. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

allotment

noun
al·​lot·​ment ə-ˈlät-mənt How to pronounce allotment (audio)
1
: the act of allotting
2
: something allotted

More from Merriam-Webster on allotment

Nglish: Translation of allotment for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All