the green light
noun
: permission to start or continue something (such as a project)
His boss finally gave him the green light to start the new project.
Examples of the green light in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Now Rivian’s skunkworks performance division just got the green light and became official as the high-performance division for the electric automaker.
—
Joel Feder, The Drive, 27 Feb. 2026
The prospect of such a combination, which will still need the green light from both Warner shareholders and regulators, poses both antitrust concerns and questions of political influence.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Provided the Warriors’ medical staff gives him the green light, a Melton no longer confined to playing only half the game would be a boon for a team fighting to climb out of play-in territory.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Coach Jeff Bryant has given him the green light to pretty much shoot from anywhere.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the green light
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.
Joel Feder, The Drive, 27 Feb. 2026
The prospect of such a combination, which will still need the green light from both Warner shareholders and regulators, poses both antitrust concerns and questions of political influence.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Provided the Warriors’ medical staff gives him the green light, a Melton no longer confined to playing only half the game would be a boon for a team fighting to climb out of play-in territory.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Coach Jeff Bryant has given him the green light to pretty much shoot from anywhere.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the green light
Cite this Entry
“The green light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20green%20light. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
