permit

¹ American  

[per-mit, pur-mit, per-mit] / pərˈmɪt, ˈpɜr mɪt, pərˈmɪt /

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.

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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 American  

[pur-mit] / ˈpɜr mɪt /

noun

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

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permit British  

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

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noun

1. an official certificate or document granting authorization; licence

2. permission, esp written permission

Usage

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. 

Other Word Forms

• permittee noun
• permitter noun
• unpermitting adjective

Etymology

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 permit¹

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

Example Sentences

Earlier this week, China Daily, a state-run outlet, reported that China was considering tightening export permit reviews for certain rare-earth products to Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Within the last couple of years, he was super anxious and excited because he ended up getting his permit,” Metoyer said.

From Los Angeles Times

This the state cannot do; for most of American history, states banned concealed carry but permitted open carry.

From Los Angeles Times

“This move permits the president to declare that he has taken a concrete step that will have an immediate impact as institutional investors will no longer be bidding against voters for houses,” he added.

From MarketWatch

“This move permits the president to declare that he has taken a concrete step that will have an immediate impact as institutional investors will no longer be bidding against voters for houses,” he added.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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