clearance

[kleer-uhns]

noun

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 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.

clearance

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonclearance noun
• preclearance noun
• self-clearance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clearance¹

First recorded in 1555–65; clear + -ance

Example Sentences

The Brazilian had been an ever-present in Arsenal's incredibly strong defensive start to the season, leading the way in aerial duals and clearances and making the joint second highest number of blocks in the league.

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In the house clearance, Annamaria found a box file filled with documents.

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“I was really excited to play,” said McCoy, who missed Sierra Canyon’s opener while waiting for Southern Section clearance.

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"In response to issues with the mobile classrooms earlier this month, EA prioritised emergency repair works and commissioned independent air clearance results," they continued.

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Zapata is awaiting medical clearance to be processed into a detention facility, authorities said.

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Related Words

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