What does revoking mean?
Revoking means formally cancelling or withdrawing something that has been granted, such as permission, access, a licence, an order, or another official authorization. The verb is especially common in legal, governmental, administrative, and institutional contexts. Unlike a simple cancellation, revocation usually implies that a recognized authority is taking back a decision or privilege. A government may revoke a business licence, an employer may revoke system access, or a court may revoke an earlier order. The word carries a firm, consequential tone because it signals that a previous permission or ruling is no longer valid. Although more forceful than casually saying that something has been stopped or withdrawn, it should not be used merely for routine cancellations, such as calling off a meal or removing a television programme.
verbTo cancel or withdraw a privilege, authorization, decision, or other official grant. To revoke means to annul something previously granted or established.
- To cancel or withdraw an official permission, licence, privilege, or entitlement.
- To annul or invalidate an order, decision, contract, or other established arrangement.
"The government revoked the company's license after an investigation."
"The court revoked the order that had prevented the company from operating."
"Administrators can revoke access immediately when an employee's responsibilities change."
To revoke something is to pull back the authority that granted it in the first place.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revoking come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Latin revocare, formed from re- meaning back and vocare meaning call, so its original sense was to call back. English developed the meaning of calling back or withdrawing an authorization, and the modern legal senses grew out of that history. Its relatives include revocation, revocable, and irrevocable, all reflecting the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How revoking is actually used
Revoking is formal and typically refers to authority exercised by a government, court, institution, or authorized person. It is stronger and more official than merely cancelling, and it normally implies that the withdrawn arrangement previously had lawful validity.
Easily confused with revoking
To revoke is to cancel or withdraw authorization, whereas to revive is to restore something to life, activity, or effectiveness.