permit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a legal document giving official permission to do something
    licence; license.
  2. noun the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
    license; permission.
  3. noun large game fish; found in waters of the West Indies
    Trachinotus falcatus.
  4. verb consent to, give permission
    countenance; let; allow.
    • She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband
    • I won't let the police search her basement
    • I cannot allow you to see your exam
  5. verb make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
    let; allow.
    • This permits the water to rush in
    • This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement
    • This will permit the rain to run off
  6. verb allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting
    tolerate; allow.
    • We don't allow dogs here
    • Children are not permitted beyond this point
    • We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital

WordNet

Per*mit" transitive verb
Etymology
L. permittere, permissum, to let through, to allow, permit; per + mittere to let go, send. See Per-, and Mission.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Permitted; present participle & verbal noun Permitting
Definitions
  1. To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate; to put up with.
    What things God doth neither command nor forbid . . . he permitteth with approbation either to be done or left undone. Hooker.
  2. To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to authorize; to give leave; -- followed by an infinitive.
    Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Acis xxvi. 1.
  3. To give over; to resign; to leave; to commit.
    Let us not aggravate our sorrows, But to the gods permit the event of things. Addison.
    Syn. -- To allow; let; grant; admit; suffer; tolerate; endure; consent to. -- To Allow, Permit, Suffer, Tolerate. To allow is more positive, denoting (at least originally and etymologically) a decided assent, either directly or by implication. To permit is more negative, and imports only acquiescence or an abstinence from prevention. The distinction, however, is often disregarded by good writers. To suffer has a stronger passive or negative sense than to permit, sometimes implying against the will, sometimes mere indifference. To tolerate is to endure what is contrary to will or desire. To suffer and to tolerate are sometimes used without discrimination.
Per*mit" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To grant permission; to allow.
Per"mit noun
Definitions
  1. Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written license or permission given to a person or persons having authority; as, a permit to land goods subject to duty.

Webster 1913