a green-colored traffic light used to signal drivers, pedestrians, etc., that they may proceed.
authorization; approval; permission.
The railroad has been given the green light on the proposed fare increase.
a signal to go, esp a green traffic light
permission to proceed with a project
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories 500124 -1.04%decrease; red down pointing triangle was the first to get the green light from Canadian regulators for a generic injection, with Canada’s Apotex following suit days later.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
Sometimes they’re like, yeah, say whatever, and then it’s a green light, go!
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
In late March, EU lawmakers gave their green light to the bloc's tariff deal with Trump, but with conditions.
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
It has received shareholder approval but is not yet a done deal - requiring the green light from regulators.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
Okay, Mr. Brademas only gave us the green light because he’s positive we’re not going to get anywhere near that number.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
