What does reapproval mean?
Reapproval means approval given again. It is used when a person or body confirms, renews, or formally grants permission that was previously approved, often because an authorization has expired, circumstances have changed, or a rule requires another decision. The word is especially common in administrative, legal, regulatory, and organizational settings, such as permit renewal, grant funding, contract approval, and committee decisions. Unlike approval alone, reapproval explicitly points to a second or subsequent act of approval and therefore implies an earlier decision. In ordinary conversation, “approval again” or “renewal of approval” may sound more natural, while reapproval is valuable in precise formal writing where the repeated authorization needs to be made explicit.
nounThe act of approving something again, especially after it has been reviewed, reconsidered, or made subject to renewal. It can also refer to a renewed decision or period of authorization.
- The act of approving again or renewing a previous approval.
"The committee requested reapproval of the grant before the project could continue."
"The board voted to grant reapproval of the existing agreement."
"The permit requires reapproval whenever the building plans are substantially revised."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; singular usage is generally preferred for the act or process of approving again.
"The committee documented the reapprovals granted during the final meeting."
Reapproval puts a second signature on something that already passed once—often because rules changed, time ran out, or reassurance was needed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reapproval come from?
Reapproval was formed in the early 19th century from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and approval, from the Latin approbare, meaning “to approve” or “sanction.” The underlying Latin verb was built from ad-, meaning “to,” and probare, meaning “to test or weigh,” reflecting the original idea of examining something to determine whether it was acceptable. Related English forms include approve, disapprove, approver, and disapproval.
Related word forms
How reapproval is actually used
The term is standard in British and American English but less common than approval in general discussion. It is especially appropriate in administrative, legal, regulatory, and organizational contexts, where a prior decision must be renewed or confirmed.
Easily confused with reapproval
Approval is the act or decision of endorsing or authorizing something, whereas reapproval indicates that approval is being granted again.