license

1 the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something the company is seeking license to operate several more power plants in the state Synonyms allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, permission (or licence), sanction, sufferance, warrantRelated Words imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp; accreditation, certification; liberty, pass; concession, patent, permit; tolerance, toleration; acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK (or okay); accord, grantNear Antonyms denial, refusal, rejection, revocation; taboo (also tabu); injunction, veto; deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression; ban, embargo, exclusionAntonyms interdiction, prohibition, proscription

2 the granting of power to perform various acts or duties a restaurant owner has to get a license to serve food and drink Synonyms accreditation, authorization, delegation, empowerment, commission (or licence), mandateRelated Words commendation, consignment, entrustment; facilitation, fostering, promotion; commanding, directing, ordering

3 the right to act or move freely military commanders on the ground must be granted considerable license, as wars cannot be micromanaged by people back in Washington Synonyms authorization, free hand, latitude, freedom (or licence), runRelated Words authority, clutch, command, control, dominion, grip, hold, mandate, mastery, power, sway; range, room, space; blank check, carte blanche