permit

1 of 3

verb

per·​mit pər-ˈmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
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 How to pronounce permit (audio)
ˌpər-mi(t)-
noun
permitter noun

permit

2 of 3

noun (1)

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
pər-ˈmit
1
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority
a gun permit
2

permit

3 of 3

noun (2)

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

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
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.
Verb
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025 Cooper noted that only personal items like a purse or brief briefcase are permitted, so don’t bring rolling bags, luggage and other unapproved items. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
Noun
Alternative starting points could include the presentation of renderings, an application for permits, the purchasing of building supplies or the commencement of construction. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 June 2025 In the past five years, the report found that new home listings in the state dropped by 64%; new housing construction permits fell by an average of 13%. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for permit

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

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

Cite this Entry

“Permit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permit. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

permit

1 of 2 verb
per·​mit pər-ˈmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
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 How to pronounce permit (audio)
pər-ˈmit
: a written statement of permission given by one having authority : license

Legal Definition

permit

noun
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority
a building permit

More from Merriam-Webster on permit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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