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

It prompted criticism from a House of Lords committee, which said the change was being introduced "at a pace that does not permit appropriate scrutiny".

From BBC

But the issuance of new visas and work permits slowed to a crawl during his first term: Average wait times increased by almost half from 2016 to 2019, according to one legal industry group.

From New York Times

Although Trump is widely expected to do away with the program, immigrant labor advocates said they don’t expect officials in the new administration will rescind work permits that have already been granted.

From Los Angeles Times

But the council has refused to allow this, previously saying the excavation was "not possible" under its licencing permit and "excavation itself would have a huge environmental impact on the surrounding area".

From BBC

She said electrical works were not permitted in council properties and that this was made clear to tenants “at several points” in the tenancy sign-in.

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.