approval

[uh-proo-vuhl]

noun

1. the act of approving; approbation.

2. formal permission or sanction.

3. Philately.,  one of a group of selected stamps sent by a dealer to a prospective customer for examination and either purchase or return.

approval

/ əˈpruːvəl /

noun

1. the act of approving

2. formal agreement; sanction

3. a favourable opinion; commendation

4. (of articles for sale) for examination with an option to buy or return

Other Word Forms

• nonapproval noun
• preapproval noun
• proapproval adjective
• reapproval noun
• self-approval noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of approval¹

First recorded in 1680–90; approve + -al ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on approval, without obligation to buy unless satisfactory to the customer upon trial or examination and, otherwise, returnable.

   We ship merchandise on approval.

see on approval; seal of approval.

Example Sentences

When Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez, was toppled for 48 hours in 2002, the U.S. briefly expressed public approval while denying involvement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It is far from population centers and has already won approval from state regulators.

Read more on Barron's

It is far from population centers and has already won approval from state regulators.

Read more on Barron's

US officials said Friday they granted approval to Boeing to increase production on 737 MAX aircraft in the latest sign of the aviation giant's improving standing with safety regulators.

Read more on Barron's

It was previously approved to treat Type 2 diabetes but under the new approval, Novo Nordisk can now market the drug’s benefits of reducing cardiovascular events.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blessing 
• confirmation 
• consent 
• endorsement 
• go ahead 
• green light 
• license 
• mandate 
• permission 
• ratification 
• recommendation 
• sanction 
• support