allot

Allot is a transitive verb meaning to distribute or assign a portion of something to a person, group, or purpose. It usually implies dividing a finite resource or block of time and giving each recipient a defined share. The common constructions are “allot something to someone” and “allot something for a purpose.” The passive form, “be allotted,” is frequent in formal writing: for example, “Two hours were allotted to each candidate.”

The related noun allotment refers to the portion allotted or the act of allotting. In British English, allotment also denotes a small plot of land for cultivation. In financial or organizational contexts, you can speak of “an allotment of funds” or “an allotment of shares.”

Allot is similar in meaning to allocate or apportion but is often used to emphasize the act of assigning a limited resource, sometimes by authority. Allocate tends to be more formal or technical, particularly in budgeting or logistics, while apportion stresses dividing things into proportional shares among recipients.

Etymology traces allot to Middle English and Old French aloter, meaning to assign. The word has been part of English usage since the medieval period and retains the core sense of distributing a defined portion.

Usage notes: Avoid the common misspelling “alot.” The noun form can be pluralized as allotments when referring to multiple shares or plots. In everyday language, allot remains a practical term for describing the deliberate allocation of time, money, tasks, or land.