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

But the change never got the required federal approval so the extension was moot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Vaccine maker shares decline after the FDA indicate stricter approval rules.

Read more on Barron's

Planning officials in the Borders are recommending proposals for Scotland's first Center Parcs holiday village are given approval.

Read more on BBC

Sheep and goat farmers in Thessaly are calling for approval of mass vaccination of their herds, which they say is how the problem is tackled in Bulgaria and Turkey.

Read more on BBC

It took time for the approval ratings to climb back to their previous levels – but eventually they did, reaching 75% by 2012.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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