permit

¹

[per-mit, pur-mit, per-mit]

verb (used with object)

permitted, permitting 

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)

permitted, permitting 

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 byof ).

   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. 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

Other Word Forms

• permittee noun
• permitter noun
• unpermitting 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

The notices say the buildings were constructed without permits, and no official Israeli statement links the demolition orders to the settlement project.

Read more on Barron's

"Energy officials will begin assessing the consequences and restoration work as soon as the security situation permits," it said in a statement.

Read more on BBC

Those ages 60 to 63 may even be able to save up to a whopping $83,500 next year, if their plan permits it.

Read more on MarketWatch

He was eligible for reinstatement Nov. 11 but had been permitted to try out and sign with a team before that.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bureaucratic obstacles, such as delays in obtaining permits, made it harder to quickly build up data centres, and the region's computing power, she said.

Read more on Barron's

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.