license

American  

[lahy-suhns] / ˈlaɪ səns /

noun

1. formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, as to carry on some business or profession.

2. a certificate, tag, plate, etc., giving proof of such permission; official permit.

   a driver's license.

3. permission to do or not to do something.

4. intentional deviation from rule, convention, or fact, as for the sake of literary or artistic effect.

   poetic license.

5. exceptional freedom allowed in a special situation.

6. excessive or undue freedom or liberty.

7. licentiousness.

8. the legal right to use a patent owned by another.

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verb (used with object)

licensed, licensing

1. to grant authoritative permission or license to.

license British  

/ ˈlaɪsəns /

verb

1. to grant or give a licence for (something, such as the sale of alcohol)

2. to give permission to or for

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Usage

What does license mean? License means permission to do something, especially formal permission from a government or other authority. The word often refers to the proof of that permission, such as a card or certificate. A license can be required for many different kinds of activities, especially those that may be considered dangerous if a person does not have the proper training. The most common types of licenses are driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and licenses for businesses. Those who hold such licenses are said to be licensed. License can also be used as a verb, meaning “to grant permission” or “to give a license to.” In British English, it is commonly spelled licence. Example: I have permission to operate here, and if you doubt it you can even see my license.

Other Word Forms

• de-license verb (used with object)
• licensable adjective
• licenseless adjective
• licenser noun
• licensor noun
• nonlicensable adjective
• nonlicensed adjective
• prelicense noun
• relicense verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of license

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English licence, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin licentia “authorization,” Latin: “freedom,” equivalent to licent- (stem of licēns, present participle of licēre “to be allowed”) + -ia noun suffix; see -ia, -ence

Explanation

What does 007's license to kill have to do with that driver's license you can't wait to acquire? Both are forms of permissions conferred officially. If you’re in England, the noun ends in “c,” as in driver’s licence. When you have a license, you have official permission to do something, like drive a car. Bars need a liquor license to serve alcohol. Doctors need a medical license to practice medicine. You can also say people have license to do something, which means they're free to do it, like if you give yourself poetic license to misspell your own name. In Britain, license is only a verb, meaning "allow," and the noun form is spelled with two cs: licence.

Example Sentences

Current FCC rules prohibit foreign investors from owning over 25% of broadcast license holders without a public interest waiver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

He seems to be thriving now under the new management and played with Chris Wood as well, who gives him the license to go get on the ball and do what he needs to do.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Microsoft will license OpenAI models non-exclusively until 2032; OpenAI can now use other cloud providers.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

And Microsoft, which has a roughly 27% stake in the AI lab and will remain a major shareholder, gets to keep its license to OpenAI’s models and products through 2032.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

They passed countless cars, with license plates from many states, locked and empty.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

Related Words

• authorization
• certificate
• charter
• consent
• exemption
• grant
• immunity
• permit
• privilege
• right
• ticket
• warrant