allotment

Allotment refers to the act of assigning or distributing something by order or agreement, and to the portion that has been allocated to a person or group. It is used both as a verb (to allot) and as a noun (an allotted portion). The term conveys a sense of designated share within a broader whole.

Allotment gardens are small plots of land made available to individuals for personal cultivation, typically in urban or suburban settings. In many countries, these plots are provided by local authorities, landowners, or charitable organizations, often through allotment associations or council schemes. Tenure and rent vary, with plots usually leased for a season or year and governed by rules about cultivation, boundaries, and maintenance. Common uses include growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers, though some plots allow ornamental gardening. Life on an allotment often involves community interaction, waiting lists for plot availability, shared tools or water resources, and considerations for soil health and environmental practices.

Beyond land, allotment is used to describe the allocation of resources, funds, or tasks within organizations or governments. To allot means to designate a share for a particular purpose or person. In budgeting, scheduling, and project planning, allotment helps ensure that limited resources are distributed according to agreed priorities and constraints. The concept emphasizes deliberate division and controlled use of assets rather than open-ended use.