permission

noun

per·​mis·​sion pər-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce permission (audio)
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.
In order to hunt on private land, hunters must have written permission, Meeker said. Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025 As a fallback, the administration also sought permission to begin public communications on how the policy would be implemented, should it eventually be upheld. Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 In a culture that values logic and skepticism, magic gives us permission to be surprised. Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Kobach argued the school districts violated parents’ federal rights by having policies that refrain from informing parents when their children asked to be addressed by different pronouns in class than at home unless that student gives permission to do so. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025 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 4 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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