permission

noun

per·​mis·​sion pər-ˈmi-shən 

1

: the act of permitting

2

: formal consent : authorization

Synonyms

• allowance
• authorization
• clearance
• concurrence
• consent
• granting
• green light
• leave
• license
• licence
• sanction
• sufferance
• warrant

Examples of permission in a Sentence

They got permission from the city to build an apartment complex.

The teacher gave me her permission to go home early.

Recent Examples on the Web

Assign a basket for mail, a folder for permission slips, a place for backpacks and shoes, and a drawer or basket for chargers, keys, and sunglasses. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2025

Here are some tips to make sure location tracking is kept to a minimum: App permissions Head to your phone’s control panel to check permissions. —Kelvin Chan, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025

Of course, sending troops with the permission and support of the Mexican government would be less severe, but still an expensive intervention in another country at an unusually high cost with virtually no benefit. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Last month, Jay-Z filed a motion to dismiss the ongoing lawsuit after securing permissions from United States District Judge Analisa Torres. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin permission-, permissio, from permittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

permission

noun

per·​mis·​sion pər-ˈmish-ən 

1

: the act of permitting

2

: the consent of a person in authority

has permission to leave