Dictionary
1license
noun li·cense \ˈlī-sən(t)s\
: an official document, card, etc., that gives you permission to do, use, or have something
: freedom to act however you want to
: the freedom of an artist, writer, etc., to change the way something is described or shown in order to produce a work of art
Full Definition of LICENSE
1
a : permission to act b : freedom of action
2
a : a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful b : a document, plate, or tag evidencing a license granted c : a grant by the holder of a copyright or patent to another of any of the rights embodied in the copyright or patent short of an assignment of all rights
3
a : freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility b : disregard for standards of personal conduct : licentiousness
4
: deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or writer for the sake of the effect gained
— licensed adjective
See license defined for English-language learners
See license defined for kids
Variants of LICENSE
li·cense or li·cence \ˈlī-sən(t)s\
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Origin of LICENSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of licēre to be permitted
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to LICENSE
- Synonyms
- allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, permission (or licence), sanction, sufferance, warrant
- Antonyms
- interdiction, prohibition, proscription
Synonym Discussion of LICENSE
freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion. freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated <freedom of the press>. liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion <the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty>. license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom <freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license>.
Other Business Terms
2license
verb
: to give official permission to (someone or something) to do or use something : to give a license to (someone or something)
: to give official permission for (something)
: to allow the use of (a name, property, etc.) through a formal agreement
li·censed also li·cencedli·cens·ing also li·cenc·ing
Full Definition of LICENSE
transitive verb
1
a : to issue a license to b : to permit or authorize especially by formal license
2
: to give permission or consent to : allow
— li·cens·able \-sən(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective
— li·cen·sor \-sər, ˌli-sən-ˈsȯr\ also li·cens·er \-sər\ noun
See license defined for English-language learners
Variants of LICENSE
license also licence
First Known Use of LICENSE
15th century
LICENSE Defined for Kids
1license
noun li·cense \ˈlī-səns\
Definition of LICENSE for Kids
1
: permission to do something granted especially by qualified authority <a license to sell food>
2
: a paper, card, or tag showing legal permission <a driver's license>
3
: freedom of action that is carried too far <Bitterly did she repent the license she had given her imagination. — Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables>
Variants of LICENSE
li·cense or li·cence \ˈlī-səns\
2license
verb
li·censed also li·cencedli·cens·ing also li·cenc·ing
Definition of LICENSE for Kids
: to grant formal permission
Variants of LICENSE
license also licence
Medical Dictionary
license
noun li·cense
Medical Definition of LICENSE
: a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful <a license to practice medicine>
—license or chiefly British licence transitive verb, li·censed or chiefly British li·cenced li·cens·ing or chiefly British li·cenc·ing
Variants of LICENSE
li·cense or chiefly British li·cence \ˈlīs-ən(t)s\
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