permit
1 Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to grant permission; allow liberty to do something.
-
to afford opportunity or possibility.
Write when time permits.
-
to allow or admit (usually followed byof ).
statements that permit of no denial.
noun
verb
-
(tr) to grant permission to do something
you are permitted to smoke
-
(tr) to consent to or tolerate
she will not permit him to come
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to allow the possibility (of)
the passage permits of two interpretations
his work permits him to relax nowadays
noun
-
an official certificate or document granting authorization; licence
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The North last year permitted Russian tourists to return for the first time since the pandemic and Western tour operators briefly returned in February this year.
From Barron's
“Suspending legitimate permits approved after years of rigorous consultation with expert federal agencies — including the Department of War — does nothing to advance our country’s long-term economic or energy security,” Bright said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times
His first wave of executive orders included a pause for federal permits and leasing for wind projects on land and at sea, which plunged the industry into months of uncertainty.
The Ashours are trying to have Siwar evacuated once more - a process that has begun with the issuing of a permit by Palestinian health officials.
From BBC
If you get an offer for a full-time job, you can apply for a B-1 work visa/permit.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.