a green-colored traffic light used to signal drivers, pedestrians, etc., that they may proceed.
authorization; approval; permission.
The railroad has been given the green light on the proposed fare increase.
a signal to go, esp a green traffic light
permission to proceed with a project
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In March 2020, Fifa gave the green light to the southern city of Basra, meaning that, at last, crucial home games did not have to take place in Jordan, Malaysia, Iran and elsewhere.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
Colbert took the reins of Letterman’s comedy tradition once he received the green light from CBS to reclaim the aspects of his Comedy Central self.
From Salon • May 21, 2026
Prosecutors said the victim pressed his cell’s emergency call button, which turned on a green light outside his door and sent a series of pings to notify the guard on duty in the living area.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
“This time around the green light has been fully given to a younger generation to put this content out. And they are using global pop culture to do so,” said Bajoghli.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
The machine’s bright green light flashed in his eyes.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
