► permissionan act of allowing someone to do something, especially in an official or formal way: You have to ask permission before you take the car.
► authorization formal permission from someone in authority to do something: The clerk said she needed authorization from the manager to give a refund.
► clearance official permission from someone in authority who has checked to make sure something is safe, legal, or likely to be successful: You need security clearance to work at the Pentagon.
► consent legal permission you give to someone to do something that could affect your rights or safety or the rights or safety of someone you are legally responsible for: They published the pictures of her without her consent.
► approval official acceptance of an idea or plan and permission to do it: The new drug is still waiting for government approval.
► assent formal official approval: All decisions require the assent of all the board members.