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

American companies subsequently had to seek permission from Beijing and prove their products weren’t used in defense.

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He added the company has sought permission from U.S. and U.K. sanction authorities to do the deal.

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She must ask permission just to leave the house, and if she is allowed to, give him constant updates while she is away.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio, read by the author.

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Former climate minister Senator Sherry Rehman, who chairs the climate committee in Pakistan's Senate, calls it "graft", or simply "looking the other way" when permissions are given for construction in vulnerable areas.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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