license

[lahy-suhns]

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.

verb (used with object)

licensed, licensing 

1. to grant authoritative permission or license to.

license

/ ˈlaɪsəns /

verb

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

2. to give permission to or for

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of license¹

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; -ia, -ence

Example Sentences

“Somebody licenses it out, you can create an ETF based on your index, and the index companies just collect the toll.”

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At the core of the dispute is who controls the copyrighted images and likenesses of actors and licensed characters — and how much they should be compensated for their use in AI models.

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But the FCC, which licenses broadcasters, does not regulate streaming services, YouTube or TikTok.

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“It’s a wonderful license of expression in which you can kind of do whatever you want,” reflects Ellis on the videos.

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Police also found in their possession Wi-Fi jammers, which can be used to disarm cameras and alarms, cellphones, trail cameras, GPS trackers and stolen license plates, the release said.

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Related Words

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

When To Use

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.