1. To prepare adequately for someone or something. My whole family is coming to Thanksgiving dinner now, so you better make allowance for seven more people at the table. The weather there is pretty inconsistent at this time of year, so make allowances for that when you pack.

2. To be forgiving or accepting of someone or something due to special circumstances. When the weather is this bad, the company makes allowance for Gina's tardiness because she has a very long commute. The teachers have been kind enough to make allowances for Jake this semester after his mother's sudden death.