What does permit mean?
Permit means to allow or authorize an action, or to make it possible for something to happen. Its most common use is in official contexts, such as rules, permissions, and announcements: “The regulations permit visitors to take photographs.” The word can also describe circumstances that allow an activity to occur, as in “The delay permitted the team to review the plan.” Although it has a formal tone, permit is widely understood and is not limited to legal language. As a noun, a permit is an official authorization, often represented by a document, that grants someone the right to enter a place, use a facility, or carry out a particular activity. The word is especially common in phrases involving entry, access, and permission.
To allow or authorize someone to do something; to make an action possible.
"The manager permitted the employees to leave early."
Common in formal and official contexts. The structure “permit someone to do something” is standard.
An official authorization or document granting someone the right to do something, such as enter a place or use a facility.
"You need a permit to work on the street during busy hours."
Often used for licenses or permissions issued by authorities, organizations, or property owners.
Used when referring to multiple official authorizations or documents granting a right or privilege.
"The event organizers issued parking permits for the visiting teams."
From Latin permittere, meaning “to allow,” the word permit has long carried the sense of granting permission—and, by extension, making something possible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does permit come from?
Permit comes from Latin permittere, formed from per- (“through” or “by means of”) and mittere (“to send”), originally conveying the idea of allowing or letting something through. English borrowed the verb in the late 15th century and the noun in the 16th century. Related English forms include permission, permissible, and permissive, while French permis and the Spanish permiso reflect cognates from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How permit is actually used
Permit is formal and often used in official or explanatory contexts. In the pattern “permit someone to do something,” the infinitive is normally used after “to,” as in “permit them to enter.”
Easily confused with permit
As a noun, a permit is an official authorization or document granting a right to do something; as a verb, it means to allow or authorize an action.