licence

American  

[lahy-suhns] / ˈlaɪ səns /

noun

1. Chiefly British. a variant of license.

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licence British  

/ ˈlaɪsəns /

noun

1. a certificate, tag, document, etc, giving official permission to do something

2. formal permission or exemption

3. liberty of action or thought; freedom

4. intentional disregard of or deviation from conventional rules to achieve a certain effect

   poetic licence

5. excessive freedom

6. licentiousness

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Etymology

Origin of licence

C14: via Old French and Medieval Latin licentia permission, from Latin: freedom, from licet it is allowed

Example Sentences

Ukraine's state savings bank, Oschadbank, said they had a valid licence and that it was a routine journey between Austria and Ukraine.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

In Myanmar, private vehicles are currently only allowed to operate on alternate days depending on whether their licence plate is an odd or even number.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In Myanmar, prices at the petrol pump have jumped and the junta has instituted fuel-saving measures, including alternate day bans on private vehicles, based on odd- or even-numbered licence plates.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Moore, of Marlcroft, Willenhall, Coventry, will serve half his sentence in custody before automatic release on licence.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

I made some sort of soothing reply, but with the licence of age she did not listen, hobbling away mumbling that it was her fault.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya