0 past simple and past participle of allow
1 to give permission for someone to do something, or to not prevent something from happening:
[ + to infinitive ] Do you think Dad will allow you to go to Jamie's party?
Her proposals would allow (= make it possible for) more people to stay in full-time education.
The loophole has allowed hundreds of drink-drivers to avoid prosecution.
The government has refused to allow foreign journalists into the area for several weeks.
Prisoners have been moved to allow the demolition of part of the prison.
Pets aren't allowed in this hotel.
[ + -ing verb ] Smoking is not allowed in this restaurant.
[ + two objects ] He didn't allow us enough time to finish the test.
Red Cross officials were allowed access to the prison for the first time a few days ago.
UK The referee decided to allow (= officially accept) the goal.
At the weekend I allow myself (= I give myself the special pleasure of having) a box of chocolates.
How much time do you allow yourself (= make available to yourself) to get ready in the morning?
2 to admit or agree that something is true:
She allowed that she might have been too suspicious.
After a long boring afternoon I was finally allowed to leave.
"I will not allow that kind of behaviour in my class, " the teacher said severely.
Indeed, he had further success, because some of his pupils were allowed to go on to further study after all.
The government raised wages and allowed opposition parties to participate in the 1981 legislative elections.
Ten minutes were allowed for cercarial penetration, after which time less than 1 % of the cercariae remained in suspension.
