permit

¹

[ verb per-mit; noun pur-mit, per-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, per·mit·ted, per·mit·ting.

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)

, per·mit·ted, per·mit·ting.

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 by of ):

   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. whenintr, often foll by of; when tr, often foll by an infinitive 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

Derived Forms

• perˈmitter, noun

Other Words From

• per·mit·tee [pur-mi-, tee], noun
• per·mit·ter noun
• un·per·mit·ting 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 judge last year ruled that the Forest Service must obtain a permit but that retardant drops could continue in the meantime because they are necessary to protect lives and property.

From Los Angeles Times

Uefa told the BBC that Belarus was not permitted to host matches, but it did not comment on its position on the country playing games elsewhere.

From BBC

"Further remediation work and strengthened practice is required and therefore there remains a real risk of harm to the public and repetition of the conduct should Ms Robinson be permitted to practise unrestricted," they added.

From BBC

But from the time of Smyth’s prosecution, the family were given temporary residency permits, which had to be renewed every 30 days.

From BBC

"Like many organisations, we only permit the use of approved channels for communicating about business matters, whether internally or externally," NatWest said in a statement.

From BBC

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.