clearance

American  

[kleer-uhns] / ˈklɪər əns /

noun

clearances plural

1. the act of clearing.

2. the distance between two objects; an amount of clear space.

   The bridge allowed a clearance of 37 feet at mean high water.

3. a formal authorization permitting access to classified information, documents, etc.

4. Also called clearance sale.  the disposal of merchandise at reduced prices to make room for new goods.

   He bought the coat for half price at a clearance.

5. a clear space; a clearing.

   The house stood in a clearance among the trees.

6. Banking. an exchange of checks and other commercial paper drawn on members of a clearinghouse, usually effected at a daily meeting of the members.

7. Machinery. a space between two moving parts, left to avoid clashing or to permit relatively free motion.

8. the angle between a face of a cutting tool, as a lathe tool, and the work.

9. Nautical.

   1. the clearing of a ship at a port.

   2. Also called clearance papers.  the official papers certifying this.

10. Medicine/Medical. a test of the excretory function of the kidneys based on the volume of blood that is cleared of a specific substance per minute by renal excretion.

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clearance British  

/ ˈklɪərəns /

noun

1. 1. the process or an instance of clearing

      slum clearance

   2. ( as modifier )

      a clearance order

2. space between two parts in motion or in relative motion

3. permission for an aircraft, ship, passengers, etc, to proceed

4. official permission to have access to secret information, projects, areas, etc

5. banking the exchange of commercial documents drawn on the members of a clearing house

6. 1. the disposal of merchandise at reduced prices

   2. ( as modifier )

      a clearance sale

7. sport

   1. the act of hitting or kicking a ball out of the defensive area, as in football

   2. an instance of this

8. the act of clearing an area of land of its inhabitants by mass eviction See Highland Clearances

9. dentistry the extraction of all of a person's teeth

10. a less common word for clearing

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonclearance
  noun
• preclearance
  noun
• self-clearance
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clearances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of clearance

First recorded in 1555–65; clear + -ance

Example Sentences

“Hurdles include mine clearance, insurance reinstatement, emptying excess Gulf oil storage, repositioning ships, and restarting idled production fields and downstream infrastructure across several Gulf producers,” they say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

"Mr. Pulte has no national security expertise -- none. We're not even sure if he's got a basic security clearance... This role is too important to be filled by a part-time, unqualified individual."

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

It is a wonderful concept, a place where families can find affordable souvenirs without limiting the kids to a clearance rack.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Medtronic said Wednesday that it had requested regulatory clearance for Hugo in general and gynecological procedures.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

This was the first step in withdrawing Oppenheimer’s security clearance.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• approval
• authorization
• consent
• go ahead
• green light