permit

¹

[ verb per-mit; noun pur-mit, per-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, per·mit·ted, per·mit·ting.

1. to allow to do something:

   Permit me to explain.

   Antonyms: refuse, reject

2. to allow to be done or occur:

   The law does not permit the sale of such drugs.

3. to tolerate; agree to:

   a law permitting Roman Catholicism in England.

4. to afford opportunity for, or admit of:

   vents to permit the escape of gases.

verb (used without object)

, per·mit·ted, per·mit·ting.

1. to grant permission; allow liberty to do something.
2. to afford opportunity or possibility:

   Write when time permits.

3. to allow or admit (usually followed by of ):

   statements that permit of no denial.

noun

1. an authoritative or official certificate of permission; license:

   a fishing permit.

   Synonyms: franchise

2. a written order granting special permission to do something.
3. permission.

permit

²

[ pur-mit ]

noun

1. a pompano, Trachinotus falcatus, of the waters off the West Indies.

permit

verb

1. tr to grant permission to do something

   you are permitted to smoke

2. tr to consent to or tolerate

   she will not permit him to come

3. whenintr, often foll by of; when tr, often foll by an infinitive to allow the possibility (of)

   the passage permits of two interpretations

   his work permits him to relax nowadays

noun

1. an official certificate or document granting authorization; licence
2. permission, esp written permission

Derived Forms

• perˈmitter, noun

Other Words From

• per·mit·tee [pur-mi-, tee], noun
• per·mit·ter noun
• un·per·mit·ting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of permit¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin permittere “to let go through, give leave,” equivalent to per- per- + mittere “to let or make (someone) go”; admit, commit, etc.

Origin of permit²

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; apparently by folk etymology from Spanish palometa palometa

Word History and Origins

Origin of permit¹

C15: from Latin permittere, from per- through + mittere to send

Example Sentences

In April, Nuro received a permit to begin driverless testing in California.

From TechCrunch

Environmental advocates didn’t want the board to extend the plant’s permits, but CAISO argued it needed the back-up power to meet demand.

From Voice of San Diego

Making things more difficult, most cities only make unemployment benefits available to local residents — those eligible for hukou, the household registration permit.

From Ozy

California has the biggest cap-and-trade market, but some believe it’s not always an effective emissions-curbing solution if the price of the permit is too low.

From Voice of San Diego

Auditors estimate San Diego Air Pollution Control District would have to raise pollution permit prices 44 percent to break even with expenses of the program.

From Voice of San Diego

“Please, please do not permit this to happen here in Florida,” wrote Cris K. Smith of East Polk County.

From The Daily Beast

Before we get to all that, permit me a brief reflection on this matter of Steve Scalise.

From The Daily Beast

We are developing a strategy next year that will permit them to march in the street.

From The Daily Beast

Both the gun permit suit and the suit against the secretary of state were dismissed.

From The Daily Beast

The training hours should jump to 80 hours for a concealed carry permit.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Brown seizes the proffered member, and gives it as hearty a pressure as the publicity of the occasion will permit.

From Project Gutenberg

The ship has anchored in the province of Ylocos, eighty leguas from here, as the weather does not permit it to come to this port.

From Project Gutenberg

As early as prison rules would permit, he was with Mr. Longcluse, where the attorney awaited him.

From Project Gutenberg

"But I cannot permit you to oppose yourself to a sword two inches longer than your own," cried Gaubert, almost in a temper.

From Project Gutenberg

Will you permit me to ride to Allahabad, sir, and tell General Neill how matters stand here?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allowance
• charter
• concession
• consent
• go ahead
• grant
• license
• passport
• patent
• permission
• privilege
• visa
• warrant

When To Use

What are other ways to say permit?

To permit is to allow someone to do something. How is permit different from allow and let? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.