license
Americannoun
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licenses
plural
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formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, as to carry on some business or profession.
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a certificate, tag, plate, etc., giving proof of such permission; official permit.
a driver's license.
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permission to do or not to do something.
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intentional deviation from rule, convention, or fact, as for the sake of literary or artistic effect.
poetic license.
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exceptional freedom allowed in a special situation.
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excessive or undue freedom or liberty.
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the legal right to use a patent owned by another.
verb (used with object)
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licenses,
present (3rd person singular)
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licensed,
past participle, past
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licensing
present participle
verb
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to grant or give a licence for (something, such as the sale of alcohol)
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to give permission to or for
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
Derived Forms
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licensernoun
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licensornoun
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prelicensenoun
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de-licenseverb (used with object)
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relicenseverb (used with object)
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licensableadjective
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licenselessadjective
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nonlicensableadjective
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nonlicensedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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licensesimple
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licensessimple
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have licensedperfect
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has licensedperfect
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am licensingprogressive
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are licensingprogressive
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is licensingprogressive
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have been licensingperfect progressive
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has been licensingperfect progressive
Past
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licensedsimple
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had licensedperfect
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was licensingprogressive
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were licensingprogressive
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had been licensingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing license
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
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"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" Vocabulary from the speech
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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Days later, a top official at the Greek regulator told Binance that Lagarde had personally intervened to thwart the license application, people familiar with the interactions said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
The company could reset its content-spending plans, which would take time; license live-sports broadcasts; or return to mergers and acquisitions after abandoning its bid for Warner Bros.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
She was also charged with an infraction for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
After the attack, he accompanied Rita to the sheriff’s office so she could apply for a concealed-carry license.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
His voice was hoarse; his look that of a man who is just about to burst an insufferable bond and plunge headlong into wild license.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
CBS owns more than two dozen TV stations with FCC licenses, including KCBS-TV Channel 2 and KCAL-TV Channel 9 in Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
The department recently cited California as a problem state that allows drivers who don’t speak sufficient English to obtain licenses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
They also requested a temporary restraining order against the agency’s efforts to force an early review of its licenses.
From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026
The U.S. eased tariffs, and China suspended restrictions and provided general licenses for U.S. end users.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
It would mean that the land would go right back to the way it was: commercial licenses and logging to private companies.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
A prolific artist, Max created marketable work that was licensed for many consumer products, from shower curtains to planes and cruise ships, and even a line of "art clocks" commissioned by General Electric.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
There have been three licensed releases of beavers in England to date, with about 100 animals expected to be released this year.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
Novartis licensed pelacarsen from biotech Ionis Pharmaceuticals for $60 million upfront in 2023.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
While most media operate in a laissez-faire regime, terrestrial radio and television broadcasting are licensed, and their airwave access has sometimes been deemed a privilege, not a right.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Thank heavens they are licensed and thus kept somewhat in check.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
The report said that "fiscal reform and a pragmatic approach to licensing could unlock investment and improve long-term energy security".
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
"Maybe it will take a massive, Chernobyl-scale disaster to get governments to act," Russell said, urging them to establish a licensing regime for AI, as exists with aviation, medicine or water supply.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
The fossils had been uncovered by archaeologists who were monitoring the Davinópolis construction project as part of environmental licensing requirements.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026
Highlighting rentosertib as Insilico’s biggest valuation catalyst, Citi said it is bullish on the company’s ability to commercialize AI drugs, noting its string of multibillion-dollar licensing deals with the likes of Eli Lilly.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
Employers in a growing number of professions are barred by state licensing agencies from hiring people with a wide range of criminal convictions, even convictions unrelated to the job or license sought.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
