permit

¹

[per-mit, pur-mit, per-mit]

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.

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

[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. 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

Other Word Forms

• permitter noun
• permittee noun
• unpermitting 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

Landowners and lessees can also kill mute swans at any time without a permit or hunting license.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Others were more upbeat about the possibility that the SEC could permit the new batch of proposed funds to come to market, including the ones targeting 5x leverage.

Read more on MarketWatch

The city recently permitted outdoor drinking at the Third Street Promenade to try and boost business.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And the “boring” part of government — from licenses and permits to contracts — has stopped, putting companies in limbo.

Read more on MarketWatch

Public demonstrations are uncommon in Singapore, which has very strict rules against protests and requires a police permit for any gathering promoting a cause.

Read more on 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.