permit — English Dictionary

permit
Pronunciations (9)
  • /pɚˈmɪt/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American
  • /pəˈmɪt/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ˈpɝmɪt/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American
  • /ˈpɜːmɪt/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ˈpər.mɪʈ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • South-Asia
  • [pɐɾ.mɪʈ]
    Pronunciation notes
    • South-Asia
  • [pɜː.mɪʈ]
    Pronunciation notes
    • South-Asia
  • ˈpɝmɪt
  • pɚˈmɪt

Verb

  1. To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples
    More examples (2)

    Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.

    Last week the decision on two points was conclusive: the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. will not permit ordination of women as ministers, but will permit their election as ruling elders, permission which makes possible a woman as moderator.

  2. To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    He was ultimately cleared, but during that period, Mr. Ackman said, his lawyers would not permit him to defend himself publicly.

  3. To allow for, to make something possible.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    What was left to say? Quite a lot, if only parliamentary time permitted.

    For snackage there's a 1950s-themed diner plus a barbie on the terrace, weather permitting.

  4. To allow, to admit (of).

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    "You English are always so frivolous," said the Princess. "In Russia we have too many troubles to permit of our being light-hearted."

    "As an instrument of economic policy, incantation does not permit of minor doubts or scruples."

  5. To grant formal authorization for (something).

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The Building Department permitted that project last week.

    […] they have not expanded so far federal permitting authority to site and permit transmission lines that are important for interstate commerce.

  6. To attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something).

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    We've been busy permitting the State Street development.

  7. To hand over, resign (something to someone).

    Usage
    • Archaic
    • Rare
    Examples

    Let us not aggravate our sorrows, / But to the gods permit the event of things.

Noun

  1. An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.

    Examples

    A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices.

    Go over to the park office and get a permit for the #3 shelter.

  2. An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal. A learner's permit.

  3. Formal permission.

    Usage
    • Obsolete

Noun

  1. A pompano of the species Trachinotus falcatus.

    Related words
    Trachinotus

Noun

  1. a legal document giving official permission to do something

  2. the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization

  3. large game fish; found in waters of the West Indies

    Broader terms

Verb

  1. consent to, give permission; permit

    Antonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband

    I won't let the police search her basement

    More examples (1)

    I cannot allow you to see your exam

  2. make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    This permits the water to rush in

    This sealed door won't allow the water to come into the basement

    More examples (1)

    This will permit the rain to run off

  3. allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting

    Broader terms
    Examples

    We don't allow dogs here

    Children are not permitted beyond this point

    More examples (1)

    We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital

Word forms
permitspermittingpermittedpermittedpermits

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