license

The definition of a license is an official permission to do something or a document, plate or tag showing proof of permission.

(noun)

An example of a license is what drivers carry showing they are legally able to drive.
An example of a license is the document a married couple has saying they are legally married.

See license in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a formal permission to do something; esp. authorization by law to do some specified thing: license to marry, practice medicine, hunt, etc.
a document, printed tag, permit, etc. indicating that such permission has been granted
1. freedom to deviate from strict conduct, rule, or practice, generally permitted by common consent: poetic license
2. an instance of such deviation
excessive, undisciplined freedom, constituting an abuse of liberty

Also, Brit. sp., licence

Origin: OFr < L licentia < licens, prp. of licere, to be permitted: see leisure

transitive verb licensed, licensing

to give license or a license to or for; permit formally

Related Forms:

See license in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing. See Synonyms at permission.
b. A document, plate, or tag that is issued as proof of official or legal permission: a driver's license.
Deviation from normal rules, practices, or methods in order to achieve a certain end or effect.
Latitude of action, especially in behavior or speech. See Synonyms at freedom.
a. Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom: “When liberty becomes license, dictatorship is near” (Will Durant).
b. Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior; licentiousness.