ENGLISH
REFERENCE

clearance

n.
US //ˈkɫɪɹəns// UK //klˈiəɹəns// clear·ance
  1. 1 official permission (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    official permission for someone to do something or to see secret information.

    official authorisation for a person to access classified information or for a vehicle to proceed.

    Example

    The pilot waited for clearance from the tower before taking off.

    Example

    After a rigorous background check, the consultant was finally granted security clearance to review the sensitive government files.
  2. 2 physical space or gap (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the amount of empty space between two objects that allows them to pass each other.

    the physical distance or headroom between two objects, particularly in engineering or architecture.

    Example

    The truck was too tall and didn't have enough clearance to go under the bridge.

    Example

    The architect had to ensure there was sufficient clearance between the moving parts of the elevator and the shaft walls.
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  1. 3 discount sale (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a sale where a shop sells things at very low prices to get rid of them quickly.

    the disposal of inventory at reduced prices to make room for new merchandise.

    Example

    I bought these shoes for half price at the end-of-season clearance.

    Example

    The retailer announced a massive clearance to liquidate old stock before the new winter collection arrived in stores.
  2. 4 removing obstructions (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of removing things that are not wanted from a place.

    the act of clearing an area of obstructions, unwanted items, or people.

    Example

    The council ordered the clearance of the old building site to make it safe.

    Example

    The slum clearance project aimed to replace dilapidated housing with modern apartments and green spaces.
  3. 5 defensive kick (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    the act of kicking or hitting a ball away from your own goal to stop the other team from scoring.

    a defensive play in which the ball is moved away from the goal area to relieve pressure.

    Example

    The defender made a great clearance just as the striker was about to shoot.

    Example

    A desperate goal-line clearance in the final minute of the match secured the victory for the home team.

  4. 6 medical/biological removal (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    the way your body gets rid of a drug or a harmful substance from your blood.

    the rate at which a substance is removed from the blood, typically by the kidneys.

    Example

    The doctor checked the patient's renal clearance to see how well their kidneys were working.

    Example

    The pharmacokinetics study measured the total body clearance of the drug to determine the appropriate dosage frequency.
  5. 7 financial settlement (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Finance

    the process of moving money between banks to finish a payment or a trade.

    the procedure by which a clearing house settles accounts between member banks or brokers.

    Example

    The bank said the clearance of the international cheque would take five business days.

    Example

    Automated clearance systems have significantly reduced the time required for high-value interbank transactions to be finalised.
Origin

From clear + -ance.

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