licenceli‧cence British English, license American English /ˈlaɪsəns/ ●●● S3 W2 noun 
The dealers applied for an export licence. He was arrested for driving without a license. The Tennessee Valley Authority applied for a license to operate the facility. The owner of land could grant a licence to cut and remove timber. I forgot to renew my licence. Persistent offenders face losing their licence. → driving licence2agreement [countable, uncountable] an agreement with a company or organization giving permission to make, sell, or use their productunder licence Guinness is brewed under licence in South Africa.single-user/10-user/site licence (=permission for computer software to be used by a certain number of people or in a certain place only) a licence agreement3freedom [uncountable] freedom to do or say what you think is best: Headteachers should be allowed greater licence in the exercise of their power.4artistic/poetic licence the way in which a painter or writer changes the facts of the real world to make their story, description, or picture of events more interesting or more beautiful5excuse [countable, uncountable] the freedom or opportunity to behave in a way that is wrong or immorallicence to do something Police say it gives youngsters licence to break the law.6licence to print money an opportunity to make a lot of money without much work or effort – especially used to show disapprovalCOLLOCATIONSverbshave a licence· Café Metropole does not yet have a license to sell liquor.hold a licence British English (=have a licence)· Police said that the man did not hold a firearms licence.get/gain/obtain a licence· New private pilots must fly for at least fifty hours before getting their licences.apply for a licence· A doctor who moves to another state must apply for a license to practice medicine there.grant/issue a licence· He was granted his flying instructor’s licence.renew a licence· The licence must be renewed yearly.lose your licence· The police caught him driving while drunk and he will now lose his licence.a licence runs out (also a licence expires formal) (=it ends)· Her driver’s license had expired.take away somebody’s licence (also revoke somebody's licence formal)· The doctor had his license revoked after he was found to be on drugs.types of licencea driving licence British English, a driver's license American English· 80 percent of 18 year olds had a driver’s license.a pilot’s licence· She became the youngest woman to hold a pilot’s licence.a television licence British English (=which allows you to use your television and pays for public television programmes)· Buying a television means you will need a television licence.a marriage licence (=a licence that allows two people to marry each other)· We went to get a marriage licence.a fishing/hunting licence (=a licence that allows you to fish/hunt)· He renewed his hunting license.an import/export licence· An export licence was issued in August last year.a provisional licence British English (=a temporary driving licence before you get your full licence)· Learner drivers need to obtain a provisional licence.a full licence (=one that is not temporary and has no restrictions)· They offer insurance cover for drivers over 25 and under 70 years of age with a full licence.licence + NOUNthe licence holder British English (=the person who has a licence)· the licence holder of a public housea licence fee (=money you have to pay to get a licence)· The BBC is funded by a licence fee which all television owners have to pay.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Do you have a licence for that gun?
- Some manufacturers see the current labelling regulations as licence to mislead shoppers.
- Eventually his licence was taken away because he didn't have enough horses.
- Go slightly faster and you could wave goodbye to your licence.
- However, operating under cover of a domestic licence does seem rather restrictive in today's international business environment.
- Prevention of overloading is another important target for the would-be licence holder.
- Take your governing body licence along for good measure.
- The tenor of the 1976 Act is permissive: a licence should be granted unless good cause is shown justifying refusal.
- The University will organise arrangements for backup, copying and distribution of software and documentation subject to the conditions of the relevant licence.
Longman Language Activatoran official document that gives permission
an official document that gives you permission to do something, for example permission to work somewhere or visit somewhere: · You can't park here unless you have a permit.work permit (=a permit to work in a particular country): · Many spouses of diplomats are unable to pursue their careers because they lack U.S. work permits.
British /license American an official document that allows you to do something, for example to drive a car or own a gun: · Do you have a licence for that gun?driving licenceBritish /driver's license American: · Rebecca's disability prevented her from getting a driver's license.
a document giving the police permission to take someone in order to ask them questions, or to search inside a building: · A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a suspected terrorist.search warrant: · You don't have to let the police in unless they have a search warrant.
official permission to do something when someone officially allows you to do something: permission to do something: · I had to get official permission to visit the prison.with/without somebody's permission: · We're not allowed to camp here without the farmer's permission.· The changes to the book were all made with the author's permission.
official permission to do something, especially written permission, from someone in a position of authority: · I must get authorization from your bank before I can accept a cheque for over fifty pounds.authorization to do something: · As a result of growing world tensions, the army requested authorization to establish another base at Battery Cove.
formal permission you give for something important that will affect you, your family, or your property: without somebody's consent: · The young couple were married without their parents' consent.give your consent: · The city authorities have given their consent to leases on two buildings in the centre of Moscow.written consent: · Before a woman can have an abortion, she needs to have written consent from two doctors.
official permission given by someone in a position of authority, after checking that what someone wants to do is legal, safe, or likely to be successful: · We expect that we'll have clearance from the Justice Department for the buyout in the first quarter of the year.clearance to do something: · The pilot requested clearance to land at Narita Airport.
informal permission from someone, especially someone important: without somebody's say-so: · Kathleen evidently ran things around the office and nothing could be done without her say-so.on somebody's say-so: · Tell him he can use the car, but only on my say-so.
British /license American official permission to do something, which is often used as a reason to do something wrong, especially something that will harm other people: license to do something: · The Secret Service seems to think they have a license to tap anyone's phone in the interests of "national security."· Some manufacturers see the current labelling regulations as licence to mislead shoppers.
different types of shop also grocery store American a large shop that sells a wide range of things, especially food, cleaning materials, and other things that people buy regularly: · Can you get pine nuts in the grocery store?· There are plans to open a new supermarket next year.
especially American a shop in your local area that sells food, alcohol, magazines etc and is often open 24 hours a day: · Believe me, if his father wasn't so rich, that guy would be working in a convenience store.
British /corner store American a small local shop, usually on the corner of a street, that sells food, newspapers, cigarettes etc: · The corner shop's started selling sandwiches now, and I'd rather go there than the supermarket.· His parents ran a little corner store in the Castro in San Francisco.
also baker's British a shop that sells bread and cakes, especially one that also makes the bread and cakes: · She runs a French bakery in North London.
British /butcher shop American a shop that sells meat: · Many small independent butchers are closing down.
also deli informal a shop, or part of a larger shop, that sells high quality food such as cheeses and cold meats, often from different countries: · There's an Italian deli here and their homemade ravioli is delicious.deli counter (=the part in a large shop where high-quality cheese, cold meat etc is sold): · I had to wait for fifteen minutes at the deli counter this morning.
British also offie informal, also liquor store American a shop that sells beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks that you drink at home
also chemist's British /drugstore American a shop that sells medicines, beauty and baby products etc
especially American a shop or part of a shop where medicines are made and sold
also hardware shop British a shop that sells equipment and tools that you can use in your home or garden
British a shop that sells newspapers and magazines, cigarettes, chocolates etc: · Ruth waited for him outside the newsagent's.
a small structure on a street, that sells newspapers and magazines: · He bought a paper at a newstand near the entrance to the park.
a very small shop on a street, that has an open window where you can buy newspapers, cigarettes, chocolate etc: · There must be a kiosk selling phone cards around here somewhere.
especially British /stand American a table, especially in a market, where goods are placed: · Justin used to mind the stall while his father was in the cafe, drinking.· I bought a few trinkets at the souvenir stand.market stall: · The trouble is, you can't really try the clothes on at a market stall.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs He was over the limit and will lose his licence. I need to renew my passport this year.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Café Metropole does not yet have a license to sell liquor.
British English (=have a licence)· Police said that the man did not hold a firearms licence.
· New private pilots must fly for at least fifty hours before getting their licences.
· A doctor who moves to another state must apply for a license to practice medicine there.
· He was granted his flying instructor’s licence.
· The licence must be renewed yearly.
· The police caught him driving while drunk and he will now lose his licence.
(also a licence expires formal) (=it ends)· Her driver’s license had expired.
(also revoke somebody's licence formal)· The doctor had his license revoked after he was found to be on drugs.
types of licence British English, a driver's license American English· 80 percent of 18 year olds had a driver’s license.
· She became the youngest woman to hold a pilot’s licence.
British English (=which allows you to use your television and pays for public television programmes)· Buying a television means you will need a television licence.
(=a licence that allows two people to marry each other)· We went to get a marriage licence.
(=a licence that allows you to fish/hunt)· He renewed his hunting license.
· An export licence was issued in August last year.
British English (=a temporary driving licence before you get your full licence)· Learner drivers need to obtain a provisional licence.
(=one that is not temporary and has no restrictions)· They offer insurance cover for drivers over 25 and under 70 years of age with a full licence.
licence + NOUN British English (=the person who has a licence)· the licence holder of a public house
(=money you have to pay to get a licence)· The BBC is funded by a licence fee which all television owners have to pay.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES British English (=an official document that shows you are allowed to drive)· When hiring a car, you must bring your driving licence.
(=an official document giving you permission to sell something to another country)· You will have to submit an application for an export licence.
British English (=the money a television licence costs)· The licence fee is set to rise again.
He was over the limit and will lose his licence. I need to renew my passport this year.· There's nothing wrong with a bit of artistic licence, of course.
· Arthur and his driving licence expired last Thursday.· A clean driving licence is essential.· No, she did not own a car - could not afford to - but she did have a driving licence.· When he was seventeen he lost his driving licence after receiving 27 speeding summonses.· They represent a man's date of birth, a driving licence number and an identity number.· If there is any doubt, the cashier should tactfully try to obtain proof of identity, e.g. passport or driving licence.· You should make a note of it and always quote it in any application or enquiries about your driving licence.· The thief, who smashed a window to get into the car, also escaped with Mr Osbourne's driving licence.
· Well, I live in sheltered accommodation and, believe me, I have to pay the full licence fee.· Full Open Driving cover for drivers over 25 and under 70 years of age with a full licence for 12 months.· You must have, or be able to obtain a full driving licence.· A full licence must have been held for at least 1 year, and the minimum age is 21.
· Instead he sent off a cheque last month for a new licence when his old one expired.· In the case of a restricted O licence the survivor must make application within two months for a new licence.· That was the day our new licence to broadcast came into force.· This year, sales here increased 133% to £5.6m, and made up 45% of all new licence sales.· This is also a new type of licence introduced by the Act.· The company had to bid for its new broadcasting licence at auction and won it with a bid of £2,000.
· He even asked the taxi driver to go via an off licence.
· The film is but one version of some horrifying events, and stretched poetic licence to the extreme.· After several days however, with nobody apprehended, the papers indulged in a little poetic licence.· It's rite. i REpeat when i liKe. i have poetic licence! don't question me????· Thomas Deloney may have used a little poetic licence to embroider a good yarn.· Wilde took poetic licence to the extreme, for the true story is much more down to earth.
· Mansell admitted drink-driving, two charges of driving with defective tyres and driving on a motorway while a provisional licence holder.· Minton was obliged to register the jeep in his own name as Norman as yet had only a provisional licence.· If you are applying for your first provisional licence you must not drive until you get it.
· The board took four off-sale licences in the locality into account when considering an application for a public house licence.· An application for a public entertainment licence for the new venture goes before Middlesbrough Council's licensing sub-committee tomorrow.· In Derby it is a condition on the public entertainment licence for all licensed premises employing doormen.
· In the case of a restricted O licence the survivor must make application within two months for a new licence.· The restricted licence covers domestic and international goods vehicle operation for own account haulage.
· A single user licence is priced at £1,000.· Bush's scheme would brighten prospects for nuclear power by granting companies a single licence to build and operate nuclear plants.
· You can be married more quickly with a special licence but that will cost you £80.· On May 11 Maisie and Thomas were married by special licence at Dunfermline.· Each brothel has to obtain a special licence from the police and the names of the women must also be registered.· He bragged that he needed a special licence to bring it on the bus.
NOUN· You should be aware that software licence agreements refer to installation and use on one computer only.· The plaintiff argued that a term in their licence agreements prevented maintenance by third parties.· If back-up copies are permitted under any licence agreement, the number of back-up copies made should not exceed that agreed to.· Licensees of software should not assign or transfer their rights if the licence agreement prohibits this.· Enter, then, one expects, the lodging agreement in lieu of the previously favoured licence agreement.· A licence agreement may specifically prohibit error correction so that all this provision does is to raise a presumption in favour of the lawful user.· After a reminder of the licence agreement this logs: The Controls.· Some, like Honeywell, chose to leave, while others chose to commute equity into licence agreements.
· It is therefore essential for a new user of water to make a licence application as early as possible.· I should be grateful if you could postpone making a decision on this licence application until after that date.· We will publish target response times for grant and licence applications made to the Ministry of Agriculture.
· If the stamped-in number is too hard to find, check the registration number against the excise licence.· Traffic wardens can also become involved with this offence by detecting a vehicle not displaying a current excise licence.
· The Cook, one of only two authenticated portraits of him, would not have gained an export licence.· An export licence was issued in August last year, and this has now been extended until August 31, 1990.· It lost all fruit along the way and by the time it received an export licence it was beyond drinking.
· What was that argument about quality and the licence fee again?· Well, I live in sheltered accommodation and, believe me, I have to pay the full licence fee.· The great thing about only having a licence fee is that you do retain complete editorial control and all the rights.· Until the very recent past governments would also set the level of the licence fee.· The farmers presently pay for the inspection through the licence fee.· Qume's architecture allows the server code to reside on the host, eliminating costly licence fees.· Thus is made up of the sum of the licence fees for these years as follows.
· Prevention of overloading is another important target for the would-be licence holder.· Mansell admitted drink-driving, two charges of driving with defective tyres and driving on a motorway while a provisional licence holder.· List of licence holders to be sent to Customs and Excise 22.· Any licence holder wanting to open beyond those guideline hours will have to appear personally before the board to argue special circumstances.
· I can see the reasons for that and went along with my birth certificate, marriage licence and National Insurance card.· Joplin was crazy about Seth, and called City Hall to enquire about a marriage licence.
· It is possible to combine a residential licence with a restaurant licence.· Where the licensee holds a residential or restaurant licence it can lead to disqualification of the licensee.
· However, conditions may be attached to any site licence which may have the effect of preventing any odour pollution from arising.
· Of course, buying a television means you will need a television licence as well.· Loss of self-control in cricket is on a par with evasion of payment for a television licence.· This clearly does not leave much money for other items such as a television licence and rental, or holidays.· I've never yet met a claimant who could afford a television licence.
· A single user licence is priced at £1,000.· And the price includes unlimited free technical support, an unlimited user licence, and a 1,200 page manual.· Available now, SQLbase for Sparcstations is priced at £1,000 for a 5-user edition and £10,000 for an unlimited user licence.
VERB· If Glencar does apply for a licence and planning permission to mine in west Mayo it will meet opposition on two levels.· A total of 89 licences have been granted to abattoirs to start slaughtering livestock and another 150 have applied for the licence.· However, the Government was persuaded by us and others that the company should apply for a new licence.· The Home Office said one company had so far applied for a licence.
· The biotechnology companies would then directly buy a licence for a particular technique rather than negotiating with individual universities.
· They were protesting against a new highway code and a points-system driving licence.
· Once the customer decides to buy the software, Hewlett provides a password over the phone granting a permanent licence.· Instead, Barlow Clowes was granted a licence.· If permission is granted for an entertainment licence, the promoters hope to start shows there within the next few months.· For example, an owner of land could grant a licence to cut and remove standing timber.· A final decision whether to grant an entertainment licence will be taken in March.· Isotron of Swindon was granted the first irradiation licence to preserve food.· He took out a permit; then, mustering a few owners, he was granted a licence to train at Compton.· They granted one such licence for waste paper baskets.
· The Riding Establishment Act makes it compulsory for riding schools to hold a licence which is issued after annual inspections.· Despite his fear of flying, he is also one of the very few jazz musicians to hold a pilot's licence.· It is the haulier who must hold the licence.
· It called on ministers to set up a firearms control board which would vet all applicants before issuing a guns licence.· Less than four hours before the scheduled start, the local fire brigade refused to issue a safety licence for the arena.
· The threat of losing the licence provides an incentive to the companies to maintain a high quality performance.· When he was seventeen he lost his driving licence after receiving 27 speeding summonses.· He was over the limit and will now lose his licence.· Now, you'd lose your licence or hurt some one.· Not so much by getting them to understand as frightening them with a Breathalyser test and losing their licence.· If I had lost my licence then, I would never have been selected by the constituency for the seat.· And persistent offenders face losing their licence.
· Of course, buying a television means you will need a television licence as well.· You should also consider whether you need a licence, and if so, what the structural and staffing implications will be.· Magistrates said they could disqualify him from driving and asked Elsworth if he needed his licence for his job.· He bragged that he needed a special licence to bring it on the bus.· And you don't need a licence to use the TalkAbout 200.
· Exemptions Various categories of vehicle are exempt from the need to obtain an operating licence.· Having already obtained an MoD licence and farmer's permission we set about trying to pinpoint the site.· By the late 1620s, it was impossible to obtain a licence to publish any theological books containing predestinarian opinions.· When his first wife died in 1751, he went so far as to obtain a licence to marry a certain Hannah Laskey.· For a special function, how would one obtain an extended licence? 6.· Of all the films Ocean might've obtained the licence to, they chose one that could only be described as mediocre.· You must have, or be able to obtain a full driving licence.
· The plant has operated under a temporary licence since 1991.· The Ombudsman's report notes the liquidator expressed surprise then that Barlow Clowes was operating without a licence.
· Well, I live in sheltered accommodation and, believe me, I have to pay the full licence fee.· An added advantage: you don't have to pay any licence fee for this model because there is no T.V. receiver.· Car users pay heavy duties on petrol and must pay licence fees for running a car.
· Thousands of travellers are expected at the event, even though a court has refused it a music licence.
· A membership of 700 had evolved in Ohio requiring an embalmer's licence.· Dealers in securities require a trading licence from the Authority.· To import any fish into this country you will require an import licence.
· This is unless he exceeds the terms of the licence or the plaintiff has legally revoked the licence.· Shortly afterwards the probation service revoked my licence.· The Board has the power to revoke the licence of any bank to take deposits.
· Sherwood has just won the licence to sell socks at Paris's EuroDisney park.· Mr Rodriguez's plan is to get a high-school diploma, then win a pilot's licence.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► licence to print money
- After several days however, with nobody apprehended, the papers indulged in a little poetic licence.
- It's rite. i REpeat when i liKe. i have poetic licence! don't question me????
- The film is but one version of some horrifying events, and stretched poetic licence to the extreme.
- There's nothing wrong with a bit of artistic licence, of course.
- Thomas Deloney may have used a little poetic licence to embroider a good yarn.
- Wilde took poetic licence to the extreme, for the true story is much more down to earth.
WORD FAMILYnounlicencelicenseeadjectivelicensedverblicense
1document [countable] an official document giving you permission to own or do something for a period of time: The dealers applied for an export licence. He was arrested for driving without a license. The Tennessee Valley Authority applied for a license to operate the facility. The owner of land could grant a licence to cut and remove timber. I forgot to renew my licence. Persistent offenders face losing their licence. → driving licence2agreement [countable, uncountable] an agreement with a company or organization giving permission to make, sell, or use their productunder licence Guinness is brewed under licence in South Africa.single-user/10-user/site licence (=permission for computer software to be used by a certain number of people or in a certain place only) a licence agreement3freedom [uncountable] freedom to do or say what you think is best: Headteachers should be allowed greater licence in the exercise of their power.4artistic/poetic licence the way in which a painter or writer changes the facts of the real world to make their story, description, or picture of events more interesting or more beautiful5excuse [countable, uncountable] the freedom or opportunity to behave in a way that is wrong or immorallicence to do something Police say it gives youngsters licence to break the law.6licence to print money an opportunity to make a lot of money without much work or effort – especially used to show disapprovalCOLLOCATIONSverbshave a licence· Café Metropole does not yet have a license to sell liquor.hold a licence British English (=have a licence)· Police said that the man did not hold a firearms licence.get/gain/obtain a licence· New private pilots must fly for at least fifty hours before getting their licences.apply for a licence· A doctor who moves to another state must apply for a license to practice medicine there.grant/issue a licence· He was granted his flying instructor’s licence.renew a licence· The licence must be renewed yearly.lose your licence· The police caught him driving while drunk and he will now lose his licence.a licence runs out (also a licence expires formal) (=it ends)· Her driver’s license had expired.take away somebody’s licence (also revoke somebody's licence formal)· The doctor had his license revoked after he was found to be on drugs.types of licencea driving licence British English, a driver's license American English· 80 percent of 18 year olds had a driver’s license.a pilot’s licence· She became the youngest woman to hold a pilot’s licence.a television licence British English (=which allows you to use your television and pays for public television programmes)· Buying a television means you will need a television licence.a marriage licence (=a licence that allows two people to marry each other)· We went to get a marriage licence.a fishing/hunting licence (=a licence that allows you to fish/hunt)· He renewed his hunting license.an import/export licence· An export licence was issued in August last year.a provisional licence British English (=a temporary driving licence before you get your full licence)· Learner drivers need to obtain a provisional licence.a full licence (=one that is not temporary and has no restrictions)· They offer insurance cover for drivers over 25 and under 70 years of age with a full licence.licence + NOUNthe licence holder British English (=the person who has a licence)· the licence holder of a public housea licence fee (=money you have to pay to get a licence)· The BBC is funded by a licence fee which all television owners have to pay.