permit

1 of 3

verb

per·​mit pər-ˈmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
permitted; permitting
Synonyms 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
permittee
pər-ˌmi(t)-ˈtē How to pronounce permit (audio)
ˌpər-mi(t)-
noun
permitter noun

permit

2 of 3

noun (1)

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
pər-ˈmit
1
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority
a gun permit
2
: permission

permit

3 of 3

noun (2)

per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit How to pronounce permit (audio) pər-ˈmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
: a pompano (Trachinotus falcatus) that is an important game fish of temperate to tropical waters of the western Atlantic

Synonyms of permit

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of permit in a Sentence

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Insider tip If your schedule permits, allot at least two days here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 The design is also kept simple to permit easier phone swapping without the requirement of rewiring, given that smartphones are the only variable factor influencing the costs, researchers added. — Muskanbhatia, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
That’s despite the UAE revoking visas or residency permits for some Iranian expats during the conflict. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 Hartford has a leaf disposal system that includes raking to the curb and brown bag pick ups, as well as leaf bag drop off with a city permit. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for permit

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of permit was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing permit

Rhymes for permit

See All Rhymes for permit

Browse Nearby Words

permissive blocking
permit
permit card
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permit. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

permit

1 of 2 verb
per·​mit pər-ˈmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
permitted; permitting
1
: to consent to : give permission : allow
2
: to make possible : give an opportunity
if time permits
permitter noun

permit

2 of 2 noun
per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
pər-ˈmit
: a written statement of permission given by one having authority : license

Legal Definition

permit

noun
per·​mit ˈpər-ˌmit, pər-ˈmit How to pronounce permit (audio)
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority
a building permit
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