permit

1 of 3

verb

per·​mit pər-ˈmit 

permitted; permitting

transitive verb

1

: to consent to expressly or formally

permit access to records

2

: to give leave : authorize

3

: to make possible

the design permits easy access

intransitive verb

: to give an opportunity : allow

if time permits

permittee

pər-ˌmi(t)-ˈtē 

ˌpər-mi(t)-

noun

permitter noun

permit

2 of 3

noun (1)

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit 

pər-ˈmit

1

: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority

a gun permit

2

: permission

permit

3 of 3

noun (2)

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit  pər-ˈmit 

: a pompano (Trachinotus falcatus) that is an important game fish of temperate to tropical waters of the western Atlantic

Synonyms

Verb

• allow
• have

Examples of permit in a Sentence

Verb

The judge permitted the release of the prisoner.

Smoking is not permitted in the building.

When we arrived at customs we realized we had more than the permitted number of items.

He permitted himself one more cookie.

The new ramp permits easier access to the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Was she was not permitted to ask about any of these subjects? —Will Tizard, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025

As acetone is recyclable and uncontaminated, the procedure permits full solvent recovery, promoting low-waste, environmentally friendly production. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025

Noun

Retail sales are allowed in most commercial zoning districts with a special use permit, Hinzman said. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025

The firm’s work with multinational corporations seeking licenses and permits before government agencies (such as energy companies requesting development permits or investment companies negotiating with the Securities and Exchange Commission), or even litigating in federal court, could evaporate. —Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English permitten, from Latin permittere to let through, permit, from per- through + mittere to let go, send

Noun (2)

perhaps by folk etymology from Spanish palometa, a kind of pompano, from diminutive of paloma dove, from Latin palumba, palumbes — more at palomino

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1884, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing permit

• learner's permit
• work permit

Rhymes for permit

• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• emit
• illite

Kids Definition

permit

1 of 2 verb

per·​mit pər-ˈmit 

permitted; permitting

1

: to consent to : give permission : allow

2

: to make possible : give an opportunity

if time permits

permitter noun

permit

2 of 2 noun

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit 

pər-ˈmit

: a written statement of permission given by one having authority : license

Legal Definition

permit

noun

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit, pər-ˈmit 

: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority

a building permit