permit

present singular third person permits · participle present permitting · participle past permitted · past permitted

1. transitiveTo allow (something) to happen, to give permission for.First known use 15th c.

   Last week the decision on two points was conclusive: the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. will not permit ordination of women as ministers, but will permit their election as ruling elders, permission which makes possible a woman as moderator.

   1930 December 19, “Presbytarians”, in Time

   1 more example

   Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.

   1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 48

2. transitiveTo allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to.First known use 15th c.

   He was ultimately cleared, but during that period, Mr. Ackman said, his lawyers would not permit him to defend himself publicly.

   2009, Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 17 Jan 09, p. 1

3. intransitiveTo allow for, to make something possible.First known use 16th c.

   What was left to say? Quite a lot, if only parliamentary time permitted.

   2006 December 3, Mary Riddell, “Trident is a Weapon of Mass Destruction”, in The Observer

   1 more example

   For snackage there's a 1950s-themed diner plus a barbie on the terrace, weather permitting.

   2009 July 25, John Mitchell, “Clubs Preview”, in The Guardian

4. intransitiveTo allow, to admit (of).First known use 18th c.

   "As an instrument of economic policy, incantation does not permit of minor doubts or scruples."

   2007, Ian Jack, The Guardian, 22 Sep 07

   1 more example

   "You English are always so frivolous," said the Princess. "In Russia we have too many troubles to permit of our being light-hearted."

   1910, Saki [pseudonym; Hector Hugh Munro], “Reginald in Russia”, in Reginald in Russia and Other Sketches, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 4

5. transitivepronounced like nounTo grant formal authorization for (something).

   The Building Department permitted that project last week.

   1 more example

   […] they have not expanded so far federal permitting authority to site and permit transmission lines that are important for interstate commerce.

   2022 September 20, Ezra Klein, quoting Jesse Jenkins, “Transcript: Ezra Klein Interviews Jesse Jenkins”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

6. transitivepronounced like nounTo attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something).

   We've been busy permitting the State Street development.

7. archaicrareTo hand over, resign (something to someone).First known use 15th c.

   Let us not aggravate our sorrows, / But to the gods permit the event of things.

   1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene iv, page 16

plural permits

1. An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.First known use 17th c.

   A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices.

   1 more example

   Go over to the park office and get a permit for the #3 shelter.

   1. A learner's permit.
2. obsoleteFormal permission.First known use 16th–19th c.

   Synonyms: allowance, authorization, sanction, allowance, authority, authorization, clearance, consent

1. A pompano of the species Trachinotus falcatus.