permissible

adjective

per·​mis·​si·​ble pər-ˈmi-sə-bəl How to pronounce permissible (audio)
Synonyms of permissiblenext
: that may be permitted : allowable
permissibility noun
permissibleness noun
permissibly adverb

Examples of permissible in a Sentence

deployment overseas would be regarded as a permissible reason for late filing by members of the military
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The deliberate use of lethal force is permissible only when strictly unavoidable to protect life, the organization said, and any use of force must be necessary and proportionate. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 One request was to increase the permissible building height from 35 feet to 46 feet, which drew criticism from residents who would be living near the property. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026 The permissible purposes for a 529 have recently expanded to allow up to $20,000 annually per beneficiary for K-12 tuition, tutoring, special needs therapies, nondegree credentialing programs and, sometimes, rollovers to Roth IRAs. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026 Molieri is not the only person who wants to use rattlesnakes beyond what’s permissible. Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for permissible

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin permissibilis, from Latin permissus, past participle of permittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of permissible was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permissible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permissible. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

permissible

adjective
per·​mis·​si·​ble pər-ˈmis-ə-bəl How to pronounce permissible (audio)
: that may be permitted : allowable
permissibility noun
permissibleness noun
permissibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on permissible

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster