License Definition

līsəns
licensed, licenses, licensing
noun
licenses
Formal permission to do something; esp., authorization by law to do some specified thing.
License to marry, practice medicine, hunt, etc.
Webster's New World
Official or legal permission to engage in a regulated activity.
American Heritage
A document, printed tag, permit, etc. indicating that such permission has been granted.
Webster's New World
A contract allowing someone to use a proprietary product or service.
Has a site license for that software.
American Heritage
Freedom to deviate from strict conduct, rule, or practice, generally permitted by common consent.
Poetic license.
Webster's New World
verb
licensed, licenses, licensing
To give or yield permission to or for.
American Heritage
To give license or a license to or for; permit formally.
Webster's New World

The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization.

It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.
Wiktionary

Authorize officially.

I am licensed to practice law in this state.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of License

Noun

Singular:
license
Plural:
licenses

Origin of License

  • Middle English licence from Old French from Medieval Latin licentia authorization from Latin freedom from licēns licent- present participle of licēre to be permitted

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French licence, from Latin licentia (“license"), from licens, present participle of licere (“to be allowed, be allowable"); compare linquere, Ancient Greek λείπω (leipō, “leave").

    From Wiktionary

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