permission

noun

per·​mis·​sion pər-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce permission (audio)
Synonyms of permissionnext
1
: the act of permitting
2
: formal consent : authorization

Examples of permission in a Sentence

They got permission from the city to build an apartment complex. The teacher gave me her permission to go home early.
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.
Give yourself permission to learn slowly without judging your pace, path, or style. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 With this special permission from the DOC Kakapo Project Manager and the Mauri Ora Kakapo Trust, my clients travel to spectacular South Island locations otherwise inaccessible to visitors – and home to the only remaining Kakapo now being carefully protected in the wild. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026 Many of Banky’s works appear on public and private spaces where permission may not have been granted. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026 Calling outside those hours without permission may qualify as harassment. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for permission

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin permission-, permissio, from permittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permission. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

permission

noun
per·​mis·​sion pər-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce permission (audio)
1
: the act of permitting
2
: the consent of a person in authority
has permission to leave

More from Merriam-Webster on permission

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