permit

¹per·mit

verb \pər-ˈmit\

per·mit·tedper·mit·ting

Definition of PERMIT

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>

— per·mit·tee \pər-ˌmi(t)-ˈtē, ˌpər-mi(t)-\ noun

— per·mit·ter noun

Examples of PERMIT

1. The judge permitted the release of the prisoner.
2. Smoking is not permitted in the building.
3. When we arrived at customs we realized we had more than the permitted number of items.
4. He permitted himself one more cookie.
5. The new ramp permits easier access to the highway.

Origin of PERMIT

Middle English permitten, from Latin permittere to let through, permit, from per- through + mittere to let go, send

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PERMIT

Synonyms: green-light, have, allow, suffer

Antonyms: ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Related Words: authorize, commission, license (also licence); accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), OK (or okay), warrant; accord, concede, grant, sanction, vouchsafe; admit, brook, condone, countenance, endure, support, tolerate

Near Antonyms: hinder, impede, obstruct; censure, disallow, disapprove, deny, interdict, refuse, reject, revoke, suppress, withhold; deplore, discountenance, disfavor, dislike, frown (at or on), grudge; check, curb, keep, repress, restrain

see all synonyms and antonyms

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