permission

[per-mish-uhn]

noun

1. authorization granted to do something; formal consent.

   to ask permission to leave the room.

   Synonyms: sanction, leave
   Antonyms: refusal, restraint

2. the act of permitting.

permission

/ pəˈmɪʃən /

noun

1. authorization to do something

Other Word Forms

• permissioned adjective
• permissory adjective
• nonpermission noun
• self-permission noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of permission¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin permissiōn-, stem of permissiō “a yielding, giving leave,” from permiss(us) “given leave” (past participle of permittere “to let go through, give leave”; permit ¹ ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Planning permission for the embassy has previously been challenged amid fears that it could be used to spy on and interrogate dissidents.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Nasdaq has promised to clean up its act and on Sept. 3 asked the Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to tighten its listing standards, especially for small Chinese stocks.

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Beijing then publicized the remark in an official account of the call without U.S. permission, the people said, which irked Rubio.

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From then on, presidents had to request rescissions from Congress—essentially asking permission to withhold funds after they had been included in an appropriations bill.

Read more on Barron's

On this particular night, a Dodgers security guard ran interference for Ohtani, pointing to nonexistent rules against speaking to him without the public relations staff’s permission.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acceptance 
• acknowledgment 
• admission 
• agreement 
• approval 
• concession 
• dispensation 
• endorsement 
• license 
• permit 
• privilege 
• recognition 
• warrant