preclearance

American  

[pree-kleer-uhns] / ˈpriˈklɪər əns /

noun

1. approval, authorization, or permission granted in advance.

   Under company procedures, certain high-ranking executives are only allowed to sell shares after obtaining preclearance.

2. Transportation. customs, security, or immigration authorization granted in advance for passengers or goods traveling or moving across borders (often used attributively).

   The preclearance facility at Terminal 2 allows outbound passengers to undertake all U.S. immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections prior to departure.

3. Law. under the U.S. Voting Rights Act, approval from the Justice Department or federal courts for changes to voting laws, processes, or districts (often used attributively).

   In order to prevent changes that have a discriminatory purpose or effect, certain jurisdictions are required to obtain preclearance before implementing new voting practices.

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Etymology

Origin of preclearance

First recorded in 1925–30; pre- ( def. ) + clearance ( def. )

Example Sentences

It explicitly prohibits interpreting the executive order as mandating licensing or preclearance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

While these cases consume a lot of resources and are not nearly as encompassing as preclearance was, they have been effective.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

After speaking with construction workers, two of Pirro’s deputies were advised they couldn’t access the site without preclearance, and they were given the contact information for the Fed’s legal staff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

That practice, known as preclearance, was effectively ended by a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024

Racial disparities in many preclearance jurisdictions improved dramatically over time.

From Salon • Aug. 6, 2023