What does "permit" mean?
An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.
Permit
/pɚˈmɪt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.
- Grammar: permit is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: license, permission, accede, accede to.
- Useful contrasts: binding legal rule, british control, civil order status.
- Usage evidence: You can't enter the building without a permit.
How to use "permit"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "permit" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "permit" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "permit" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "permit" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "permit" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "license" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "permit", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.
"A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices."
- 2 A pompano of the species Trachinotus falcatus.
- 3 the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization wordnet
- 4 An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.; A learner's permit.
- 5 large game fish; found in waters of the West Indies wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Formal permission. obsolete
- 7 a legal document giving official permission to do something wordnet
Verb
- 1 To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for. transitive
"Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda."
- 2 consent to, give permission; permit wordnet
- 3 To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to. transitive
"He was ultimately cleared, but during that period, Mr. Ackman said, his lawyers would not permit him to defend himself publicly."
- 4 allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting wordnet
- 5 To allow for, to make something possible. intransitive
"What was left to say? Quite a lot, if only parliamentary time permitted."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen wordnet
- 7 To allow, to admit (of). intransitive
""You English are always so frivolous," said the Princess. "In Russia we have too many troubles to permit of our being light-hearted.""
- 8 To grant formal authorization for (something). transitive
"The Building Department permitted that project last week."
- 9 To attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something). transitive
"We've been busy permitting the State Street development."
- 10 To hand over, resign (something to someone). archaic, rare
"Let us not aggravate our sorrows, / But to the gods permit the event of things."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"You can't enter the building without a permit."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "permit"?
Common synonyms include: license, permission, accede, accede to, accept, access.
How do you use "permit" in a sentence?
You can't enter the building without a permit.
How do you pronounce "permit"?
Pronounced /pɚˈmɪt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English permitten, borrowed from Middle French permettre, from Latin permittō (“give up, allow”), from per (“through”) + mittō (“send”).
Etymology 2
An irregular borrowing from Spanish palometa, probably from a Doric variant of Ancient Greek πηλαμύς (pēlamús, “young tuna”).