• (America) IPA: /pɚˈmɪt/

  (RP) IPA: /pəˈmɪt/

  (America) IPA: /ˈpɝmɪt/

  (RP) IPA: /ˈpɜːmɪt/

permit (permits, present participle permitting; past and past participle permitted)

1. (transitive) To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for. [from 15th c.]
   • 1930, "Presbytarians", Time, 19 Dec 1930:

     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.

2. (transitive) To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to. [from 15th c.]
   • 2009, Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 17 Jan 09, p. 1:

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

3. (intransitive) To allow for, to make something possible. [from 16th c.]
   • 2006, Mary Riddell, "Trident is a Weapon of Mass Destruction", The Observer, 3 Dec 06:

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

   • 2009, John Mitchell, "Clubs Preview", The Guardian, 25 Jul 09:

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

4. (intransitive) To allow, to admit (of). [from 18th c.]
   • 1910, Saki, "Reginald in Russia", Reginald in Russia:

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

   • 2007, Ian Jack, The Guardian, 22 Sep 07:

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

5. (transitive, pronounced like noun) To grant formal authorization for (something).

   The Building Department permitted that project last week.

6. (transitive, pronounced like noun) To attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something).

   We've been busy permitting the State Street development.

7. (now archaic, rare) To hand over, resign (something to someone). [from 15th c.]
   • 1713, Joseph Addison, Cato, published 1712, [Act 1, scene 6]:

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

• French: permettre
• German: erlauben, genehmigen, zulassen
• Italian: permettere, autorizzare
• Portuguese: permitir, deixar
• Russian: позволя́ть
• Spanish: permitir

permit (plural permits)

1. An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal. [from 17th c.]

   A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices.

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

   1. A learner's permit.
2. (obsolete) Formal permission. [16th-19th c.]

• French: permis, permission
• German: Genehmigung, Erlaubnis
• Italian: permesso, autorizzazione
• Portuguese: permissão, autorização, licença, aval
• Russian: разреше́ние
• Spanish: permiso

• permission
• mission

• (America) IPA: /ˈpɝmɪt/
• (RP) IPA: /ˈpɜːmɪt/

permit (plural permit)

1. A pompano of the species Trachinotus falcatus.