green light

noun

: authority or permission to proceed
green-light transitive verb

Examples of green light in a Sentence

we were given the green light to use the town commons for our fund-raiser
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
When British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House in September, European officials said the president was on the verge of giving a green light. Serge Schmemann, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024 During the summer, leaves appear green because the predominant pigment of photosynthesis, called chlorophyll, reflects green light. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024 New weapons systems and a green light to strike deeper inside Russia could improve Kyiv's leverage in peace negotiations, while also raising the risk of nuclear escalation. Axios, 15 Oct. 2024 Once Milton barreled its way out of the state, NASA and SpaceX teams returned to inspect the launch site at the spaceport in Cape Canaveral before later giving a green light for the craft to return to the launchpad ahead of Monday's launch. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for green light 

Word History

Etymology

from the green traffic light which signals permission to proceed

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of green light was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near green light

Cite this Entry

“Green light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20light. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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