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)

: either of two pompanos (Trachinotus falcatus and T. goodei) that are important game fishes 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
Verb
The Veranda, for example, eliminates the need for a large aft bulkhead and others on the sides, which typically enclose a conventional salon, now permitting unbroken space instead. Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024 However, neither structure has reached the maximum height permitted in the park, which is 250 feet. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 As of last month, the California Department of Motor Vehicles had issued 38 companies permits to test autonomous vehicles with a backup safety driver. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Halloween-style may not to be worn upon entry and in concourses but will be permitted when guest is in seats. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 Although many human drivers do this, under Chinese road rules this is not permitted. Mark Andrews, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024 In many countries, women are now legally permitted to work, own property, and open bank accounts without a father or husband’s permission. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Sales are permitted through pharmacies, dispensaries or social clubs, and companies collect data to support their study topic. Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2024 The new permitting center will help private developers building five separate projects with a combined total of more than 500 housing units. CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
Mexico granted residency permits to 3,231 Russians last year, three times more than in 2021, according to government data. Lucinda Elliott and Miguel Lo Bianco, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2024 Meindl wants to take measures before using TIF, like expediting a permit process, to incentivize developers to bring affordable housing with their developments. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024 The catch is that permit entries must be validated in person at the Western Expo, which boosts attendance at the annual show in Salt Lake City. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024 When that permit application is filed, the city’s historic preservation staff is notified and does an analysis to determine if the building has any significance. The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 There were challenges at the Williamsburg location, including a delay in its beer and wine permit, then a mysterious dog respiratory illness began spreading in several states before the holiday season, keeping people away during Boris & Horton’s busiest time of year. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Department officials also noted that state law requires them to issue a permit under the water quality program if the company can demonstrate that its work will not degrade drinking water beyond standards or further degrade already polluted aquifers. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Take House Bill 1019, which would have let children operate a lemonade stand in their neighborhood without needing a permit from the state. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Last year, only one person filed a permit to reserve a section of the park to propose, said California Highway Patrol Officer Paul Moos. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'permit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near permit

Cite this Entry

“Permit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permit. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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