permission
Americannoun
-
authorization granted to do something; formal consent.
to ask permission to leave the room.
-
the act of permitting.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of permission
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin permissiōn-, stem of permissiō “a yielding, giving leave,” from permiss(us) “given leave” (past participle of permittere “to let go through, give leave”; see permit 1) + -iō -ion
Explanation
If you give someone approval to do something, you are giving them permission. Think of the permission slip your parents sign to let you go on a field trip––they are approving your going on the trip. Permission has the same Latin root word as permit. They both come from permittere, which means to allow to go or pass through. Permission can be given in writing, it can be given orally, or it can be assumed or unspoken––by passing the box of cookies around the room you're giving everyone tacit permission to help themselves.
Vocabulary lists containing permission
Send a Message: Mit and Miss
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"The War of the Wall" by Toni Cade Bambara
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The Titan's Curse
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Permission could be denied on a ship-by-ship or country-by-country basis to suit Iranian foreign policy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026
Permission in the Netherlands could open Tesla up to receiving further approval — and revenue — in the European market.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
Permission eventually arrived at 3:10 p.m. and everyone was told to get on a bus.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026
Permission to value pleasure over performance, ease over expectation.
From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026
I opened my eyes, dipped the quill, and wrote out my true name: Isabel Gardener, being a Free Negro, has the Commandant’s Permission to pass from this Garrison to whatever place she may think proper.
From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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.
