permit
1 of 3verb
per·mit pər-ˈmit 
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
noun ˌpər-mi(t)-
permitter noun
permit
2 of 3noun (1)
per·mit ˈpər-ˌmit
pər-ˈmit
1
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority
a gun permit
2
: permission
permit
3 of 3noun (2)
per·mit ˈpər-ˌmit pər-ˈmit
pər-ˈmit : either of two pompanos (Trachinotus falcatus and T. goodei) that are important game fishes of temperate to tropical waters of the western Atlantic
Synonyms
Verb
- allow
- green-light
- have
- suffer
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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.
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
Phrases Containing permit
Kids Definition
permit 1 of 2
verb
per·mit pər-ˈmit
permitted; permitting
1
: to allow to happen or do : give permission
2
: to make possible : give an opportunity
We'll visit the museum if time permits.
permit
2 of 2noun
per·mit ˈpər-ˌmit
: a statement of permission (as a license or pass)
You need a parking permit.
Legal Definition
permit
noun
per·mit ˈpər-ˌmit, pər-ˈmit
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority
a building permit
permittee
noun
as in licensee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- licensee
- assignee
- designee
- candidate
- licentiate
- nominee
- appointee
- deputy
- delegate
- delegatee
- agent
- inductee
- selectee
- endorsee
- draftee
- selection
- pick
- choice