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.
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
“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
In late March, EU lawmakers gave their green light to the tariff deal with Trump, but they also sought additional safeguards.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
It has received shareholder approval but is not yet a done deal - requiring the green light from regulators.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
It was a pale green light, the kind you see from one of those snap-activated glow sticks; it lit the stairwell, and then everything was suddenly dark again.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
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.
