approval

noun

ap·​prov·​al ə-ˈprü-vəl 

: an act or instance of approving something : approbation

The change is subject to the committee's approval.

see also:

on approval

Synonyms of approval

• favor
• blessing
• approbation
• assent
• vote
• nod
• support
• endorsement

Examples of approval in a Sentence

children who never gained their parents' approval

Do I have your approval to make the changes?

The rally will be on May 19, provided the city gives its approval.

The government has so far withheld approval of the drug.

We were required to get approvals at each stage of the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, the high school reunion lives in the device in our hands, capable of giving anyone quantitative signals from a vast reference group at any moment on our personalized scoreboards of social approval. — Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Achieving self-sustaining reaction Its earlier test reactor, Mark-0, took just eight months to move from safety approval to initial criticality on June 4, 2026. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

The transaction was funded by Frasers’ existing cash resources, and not subject to shareholder approval, according to a statement from the group. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Investors are excited about technologies like mRNA and genomics, along with a steady stream of new drug approvals. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see approve

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing approval

• approval rating
• find approval/favor
• meet with one's approval
• on approval
• pre-approval
• seal of approval
• stamp of approval

Rhymes for approval

• removal
• disapproval
• reapproval
• uveal

Kids Definition

approval

noun

ap·​prov·​al ə-ˈprü-vəl 

: an act or instance of approving